Diffractive Optics: From Fundamentals to Applications

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optoelectronics and Optical Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 640

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Internet of Things Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
Interests: planar diffractive lenses; super-resolution imaging; micro–nano fabrication

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Guest Editor
Institute for Interdisciplinary and Innovation Research, Xi’an Technological University, Xi’an, China
Interests: metasurfaces; micro–nano optical imaging; nanofabrication

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) offer unique capabilities for manipulating light waves based on the principles of diffraction and interference, providing powerful alternatives and complements to traditional refractive optics. The design, fabrication, and application of DOEs are central to advancing numerous fields, including compact laser systems, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) displays, optical communications, computational imaging, beam shaping, sensing, photonic integrated circuits, and advanced lithography. Understanding and harnessing the potential of diffractive optics are therefore of significant scientific interest and practical importance across modern photonics and optical engineering.

The purpose of this Photonics Special Issue, titled “Diffractive Optics: From Fundamentals to Applications”, is to showcase the latest advancements and insights in diffractive optics, spanning from fundamental theoretical models and novel design methodologies to cutting-edge fabrication techniques and diverse applications. We invite contributions that explore new phenomena in light-diffractive element interactions, innovative DOE designs (including metasurfaces and nanostructured devices), tunable or reconfigurable diffractive systems, computational approaches, and the integration of DOEs into functional optical systems and devices. For this Special Issue, both high-quality original research articles and insightful reviews are welcome.

Dr. Wenli Li
Dr. Yechuan Zhu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • diffractive optical elements (DOEs)
  • metasurfaces and their imaging systems
  • computational optics/inverse design
  • nanofabrication
  • beam shaping/structured light
  • optical devices/systems integration

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 7521 KB  
Article
Design and Diffraction Efficiency Analysis of Field-of-View Deflectors Using Self-Achromatic Grism
by Na Xie, Jingyi Fu, Yunan Wu, Bingqing Xie, Ning Ma and Jun Chang
Photonics 2026, 13(5), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13050430 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 248
Abstract
Field-deflection optical elements play a significant role in various high-resolution and field-of-view (FOV) expandable optical systems. In our previous work, we proposed a self-achromatic double-faced grism (DFG) configuration capable of field deflection. In this paper, to effectively guide the design and fabrication of [...] Read more.
Field-deflection optical elements play a significant role in various high-resolution and field-of-view (FOV) expandable optical systems. In our previous work, we proposed a self-achromatic double-faced grism (DFG) configuration capable of field deflection. In this paper, to effectively guide the design and fabrication of DFG diffractive microstructures, we analyze the diffraction process of light within the DFG based on scalar diffraction theory, establish a diffraction efficiency model for the DFG, and propose an optimization method to improve diffraction efficiency over all FOVs while minimizing diffraction efficiency variations across the waveband. Following this design approach, two DFGs for 3–5 μm were specifically designed: one for a 4.4° FOV with 1.6° deflection, and the other for a 40° FOV with 15° deflection. Further optimization increased the bandwidth-integrated average diffraction efficiency (BIADE) to above 0.93 and reduced the diffraction efficiency variations across the waveband by 23.5% and 48%. And based on a tolerance analysis model, we performed tolerance analysis of the designed DFGs. The BIADE of both elements across all FOVs can exceed 0.86 after adding fabrication errors, maintaining a high diffraction efficiency. The results demonstrate that this method can effectively guide the design and manufacturing of diffractive microstructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diffractive Optics: From Fundamentals to Applications)
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