Scalar Fourier Modal Method for Wave-optic Optical-element Modeling

Abstract

A scalar Fourier modal method for the numerical analysis of the scalar wave equation in inhomogeneous space with an arbitrary permittivity profile, is proposed as a novel theoretical embodiment of Fourier optics. The modeling of devices and systems using conventional Fourier optics is based on the thinelement approximation, but this approach becomes less accurate with high numerical aperture or thick optical elements. The proposed scalar Fourier modal method describes the wave optical characteristics of optical structures in terms of the generalized transmittance function, which can readily overcome a current limitation of Fourier optics.