Backward discrete wave field propagation modeling as an inverse problem: toward perfect reconstruction of wave field distributions

We consider reconstruction of a wave field distribution in an input/object plane from data in an output/ diffraction (sensor) plane. We provide digital modeling both for the forward and backward wave field propagation. A novel algebraic matrix form of the discrete diffraction transform (DDT) originated in Katkovnik et al. [Appl. Opt. 47, 3481 (2008)] is proposed for the forward modeling that is aliasing free and precise for pixelwise invariant object and sensor plane distributions. This 'matrix DDT' is a base for formalization of the object wave field reconstruction (backward propagation) as an inverse problem. The transfer matrices of the matrix DDT are used for calculations as well as for the analysis of conditions when the perfect reconstruction of the object wave field distribution is possible. We show by simulation that the developed inverse propagation algorithm demonstrates an improved accuracy as compared with the standard convolutional and discrete Fresnel transform algorithms. OCIS codes: 070.2025, 100.3010, 100.3190.