On-axis computer-generated holograms based on centrosymmetric partitioningof the pixel

A novel, to our knowledge, configuration for the design and fabrication of zero-order computer-generated holograms in which each pixel is split into t wo centrosymmetric equal-sized regions is proposed and tested. In a manner similar to other approaches this configuration also permits the encoding an d the reconstruction of a complex function that exhibits phase as well as a mplitude variations by use of a phase-only filter. A detailed mathematical analysis is followed by evaluation of the error of the encoding approach, w hich is calculated and compared with the error exhibited by other approache s. Computer simulations as well as optical experiments demonstrate the capa bilities of this novel configuration. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.