Resolution limit for anisotropic Bragg diffraction from finite holographic gratings.

Resolution limits resulting from Bragg diffraction from finite phase gratings are derived. The diffraction pattern is calculated as a sum of coherent waves diffracted from the gratings representing the Fourier transform of the finite grating. A photorefractive spatial light modulator has been built up that can resolve more than 30 line pairs per millimeter, comparable with the limiting value of 36 line pairs per millimeter derived by the theoretical treatment.