Simultaneous display of all the Fresnel diffraction patterns of one-dimensional apertures

An optical setup is implemented for observation and analysis of diffraction phenomena. The device provides a two-dimensional ordered continuous display of all the diffraction patterns of any one-dimensional signal. This result allows a direct comparison between the observed light intensity and the prediction of diffraction theory, both in the near-field and the far-field regions. The arrangement is built with conventional laboratory optical components plus a single ophthalmic progressive lens. Experimental results for typical diffracting apertures are shown.