Extended focus diffractive optical element for Gaussian laser beams

The depth of focus of the Gaussian beam is extended by introducing a wavefront phase correction with properly designed diffractive optical elements. Results of the computer simulations show that, compared with other methods, the presented method demonstrates a reduced focal spot size and low sidelobes in a focal domain, within a considerable range of defocusing distances. Experimental results for the visible range diffractive optical element with a focus of 40 mm and a depth of focus that extends to 1 mm agree with the theory. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.