Experimental implementation of a virtual optical beam propagator system based on a Fresnel diffraction algorithm

Abstract. We describe the experimental implementation of a virtual optical beam propagator system. This virtual propagator system allows the experimental study of beam propagation without physically moving any element. The approach uses a Fresnel diffraction algorithm (usually called the angular spectrum method) and its implementation on a spatial light modulator. We discuss the limits of the technique and provide a detailed description of the experimental procedures. Experimental results are included where we design a hologram capable of producing two patterns at two different distances, and we can change the effective plane of observation by changing the encoded propagation instead of by moving any element on the experimental system.