Diffraction by a circular aperture: a generalization of Fresnel diffraction theory

A generalization of the Fresnel approximation in diffraction theory is proposed. The phase term in the diffraction integral is approximated by a paraboloidal variation, not by a binomial expansion but rather by a matching at the critical points in asymptotic evaluation of the integral. The method provides a correction to the optical coordinates of the Fresnel diffraction theory that extends its region of validity. It is applied to diffraction by a circular aperture of a plane wave or focused beam, including effects caused by a large numerical aperture, finite Fresnel number, off-axis illumination, and the presence of aberrations. The method may also be used with other geometries: It is readily applied to cylindrical focusing.