HOLOGRAPHIC CIRCLE-TO-POINT CONVERTER WITH PARTICULAR APPLICATIONS FOR LIDAR WORK

A holographic optical element is developed that functions as a circle- to-point converter. The holographic plate looks like a zone plate but functions like a collection of field lenses, Each annulus of the holog raphic plate acts as a separate lens, Imaging incident light to a poin t focus. The plate was developed for use with Fabry-Perot interferomet ers, but other applications are also possible. The plate has high thro ughput, and when coupled with high quantum efficiency solid state dete ctors provides an efficient photon-collecting detection system. Develo pment of the plate was driven by need for an efficient Doppler lidar d etection system, and specific lidar applications are discussed. (C) 19 97 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.