Polychromatic Self-imaging

Abstract

The necessary condition for self-imaging in incoherent polychromatic light is derived from the McCutchen and central-slice theorems. Two types of self-imaging pupils are analysed: a pupil produced by a diffracting mask which gives self-images at positions depending on the wavelength, and an interferential pupil using a Fabry-Perot etalon which produces achromatic self-images. Experimental verifications are presented.