Design of Talbot array illuminators for planar optics

The planar optical integration of Talbot array illuminators is investigated. The fractional Talbot distances are calculated from the parabolic approximation of light propagation. In addition, we discuss distortions of the diffraction patterns caused by aberrations due to off-axis light propagation and edge effects due to the finite size of the diffraction gratings. Using computer simulations, we estimate the efficiency of array generation in terms of light concentration ability.