Fresnel diffraction by an opaque disk
ID: fresnel-diffraction-by-an-opaque-disk
Under the same scalar paraxial assumptions as Fresnel diffraction by a circular aperture, Babinet's principle gives the complementary opaque-disk field on axis. Its axial intensity equals the unobstructed intensity, producing the Arago spot inside the geometric shadow. The off-axis pattern depends on the full Fresnel integral; it is not obtained by subtracting aperture intensities from the incident intensity. Finite source size, misalignment and imperfect circular edges reduce the ideal spot contrast.
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