Self-Fourier objects and other self-transform objects

Adolf W. Lohmann, David Mendlovic

Journal of the Optical Society of America A · 1992 · 52 citations · 4 references

Concepts

TL;DR

Self‑Fourier functions are those equal to their Fourier transform, with classic examples such as the Gaussian and Dirac comb, and recent work by Caola has expanded the known family, offering potential applications in wave optics. The authors demonstrate that Caola’s work exhaustively identifies all self‑Fourier functions. They also analyze additional self‑transform functions related to transformations used in coherent optics.

Abstract

A self-Fourier function (SFF), according to Caola [ J. Phys. A24, L1143 ( 1991)], is a function that is its own Fourier transform. The Gaussian and Dirac combs are well-known examples. Many more SFF's have been discovered recently by Caola. This discovery might bear some fruit in optics, since the Fourier transform is perhaps the most important theoretical tool in wave optics. We show that Caola discovered all SFF's. Furthermore, we study other self-transform functions, which are also tied to some transformations that play a role in coherent optics.

References

4