Visualizing Pure Phase Objects Using a Degenerate Self- Imaging Optical Cavity

Theoretical analysis demonstrates that pure -phase objects, when positioned on the flat mirror of a self - imaging cavity, can be imaged outside the cavity as ordinary objects. The theory was developed based on the following assumptions: (i) the object is non -polarizing, (ii) it is binary (with phase values of 0 or 1 rad), (iii) it has a single refractive index, (iv) the mirror is non-absorbing, (v) the mirror is dielectric, and (vi) it reflects isotropically . These images are degraded by a bright