Abstract

ROMAN-MORENO, C.J.; ORTEGA-MARTINEZ, R.  and  FLORES-ARVIZO, C.. The Wigner function in paraxial optics II. Optical diffraction pattern representation. Rev. mex. fis. [online]. 2003, vol.49, n.3, pp.290-295. ISSN 0035-001X.

The Wigner distribution function is a tool to visualize a signal in the space-frequency domain. Moreover, it can be produced by purely optical means. We describe the Brenner-Lohmann optical setup with monochromatic light, which produces the Wigner function. A signal composed of rectangle functions (optically produced by slits) has a Wigner function with a "sand clock" form. We point out the strong oscillations of the Wigner function between two interfering components, which has been called the smile function of a "Schrödinger's cat" state. This bears interesting optical diffraction patterns in our figures.

Keywords : Wigner distribution function; Fourier optics.

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