Simulation of Talbot effect from a binary phase grating using Fresnel integral approach.

• Talbot effect on a binary phase grating with different phase depth is studied. • Talbot patterns are observed both theoretically and experimentally. • The Lau fringes formation in the different Talbot zones is observed. The Talbot effect of the finite phase grating is theoretically, computationally and experimentally investigated. The diffraction of finite periodic phase arrays in the Fresnel region is analyzed according to the scalar diffraction theory. The simulations can be performed with any PC using a MATLAB program developed by authors. Talbot images are generated for any light wavelength, grating period and any distance from the grating to screen. The algorithm details and MATLAB code are given, as well as the interesting insights than can be gained from the program. The additional intensity maximums over the borders of grating aperture on Talbot images are predicted to appear. The evolution of diffraction patterns on the fractional Talbot distances for the phase grating is simulated and compared with images for the grating with amplitude transmission. Phase gratings are produced and Talbot images of them are successfully measured. A comparative analysis of the theoretical results with the experimental ones is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]