Improvement of optical wave propagation simulations: the scaled angular spectrum method for far-field and focal analysis

Abstract

In the field of optics, accurately simulating wave propagation is essential for both theoretical insights and practical applications. This study introduces the scaled angular spectrum method (Sc-ASM) for simulating far-field and focal patterns, overcoming the limitations inherent in the standard angular spectrum method (ASM) by allowing variable sampling intervals between source and observation planes. Comparative analysis with the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld integral demonstrates Sc-ASM's superior accuracy in estimating the far-field patterns of beams with complex phase structures. Our results underscore Sc-ASM’s potential to set a new benchmark in optical simulations, significantly advancing optical system design and the study of wave propagation.