Revisiting Young's edge diffracted wave: Diffraction of light by fractured plane wave-front

Abstract

Based on the Young's boundary diffraction wave (BDW) idea and the inherent concept of singularity in it, we would be able to look at certain unforeseen aspects of scalar diffraction, especially for phase objects. In order to give a basic and necessary perception, we consider diffraction from a Fresnel's bi-prism which produces two crossing plane wave-fronts. This approach permits the mathematical treatment to be done with much ease. Experimental results are both in excellent agreement with our theoretical predictions which are accompanied by numerical simulations and validate our strategy. This will raise the present level of the diffraction phenomena study to a however, vast area with many applications.