Reconstruction of the characteristics of an optical field with the aid of amplitude and phase transparencies

A method is proposed for the reconstruction of an optical field with the aid of two transparencies. Information on the distribution of the amplitudes and phases of the optical field is recorded by directing radiation into two channels. The distribution of the field amplitudes is recorded in the usual way in one channel, whereas the other channel visualizes the phase distribution and ensures that it is recorded in a phase-sensitive material. Reconstruction involves illumination of these two transparencies used in combination with a plane monochromatic wave.