Daria, VincentEriksen, Rene LSinzinger, StefanGluckstad, Jesper2015-12-071464-4258http://hdl.handle.net/1885/21737We analyse and optimize the output of a planar optical device implementing the generalized phase contrast method. Surface-integrated diffractive micro-optical components build up a spatial filtering-based common-path interferometer consisting of a 4 f lens configuration with a phase contrast filter etched as a 5 μm diameter steep-edged cylindrical hole at the Fourier plane. This filter is designed for operation at λ = 632.8 nm and carries out a phase shift of π for the on-axis region of the focused light. The performance of the device is analysed in terms of throughput and visibility of input phase patterns. A practical design for improved performance is also evaluated for application in visualization of two-dimensional phase patterns as applied in electro-optical data communications, particularly in security and product authenticity verification applications.Keywords: Data communication systems; Diffractive optics; Electrooptical devices; Optical filters; Phase shift; Throughput; Planar optical devices; Optical devices Integrated optics; Micro-optics; Phase contrast imaging; Phase retrieval200310.1088/1464-4258/5/5/3672015-12-07