Radon-Wigner display: a compact optical implementation with a single varifocal lens

A new optical implementation of the Radon-Wigner display for one-dimensional objects is presented, making use of the fractional Fourier transform approach. The proposed set-up makes use of only two conventional refractive elements: a cylindrical lens and a varifocal lens. Although the exact magnifications cannot be achieved simultaneously for all the fractional transforms, an optimum design can be obtained through balancing the conflicting magnification requirements. Experimental results are obtained with a commercially available progressive addition lens. For comparison, computer simulations are also provided. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.