New signal representation based on the fractional Fourier transform: definitions

Abstract

The fractional Fourier transform is a mathematical operation that generalizes the well-known Fourier transform. This operation has been shown to have physical and optical fundamental meanings, and it has been experimentally implemented by relatively simple optical setups. Based on the fractional Fourier-transform operation, a new space-frequency chart definition is introduced. By the application of various geometric operations on this new chart, such as radial and angular shearing and rotation, optical systems may be designed or analyzed. The field distribution, as well as full information about the spectrum and the space–bandwidth product, can be easily obtained in all the stages of the optical system.