Selective color imaging using weighted interleaved multiple annular linear diffractive axicons

Abstract

Annular linear diffractive axicons are optical devices providing chromatic imaging over an extended depth of focus when illuminated by a white light. To improve their low radiometric performance, multiple annular linear diffractive axicons (MALDAs) have been introduced. Their chromatic properties are well known and constrained by dispersion laws. A first attempt to freely combine colors or wavelength bands has been obtained with interleaved MALDAs (I_MALDAs). However, such optics do not provide a full decoupling between wavelength combination and brightness control required in the CIE color space to address any colors. We present here a new category of I_MALDA providing this capability when illuminated by a white source containing tristimulus (red/green/blue) values. We assess both theoretically and experimentally imaging qualities of such optics with respect to two different interleaving techniques and suggest some potential applications, in particular in the field of anticounterfeit and authentication techniques.