In this project, we show that a worthwhile approach to understand the connection between Fraunhofer diffraction and Fourier transforms would be through simulating far-field diffraction by means of a computer program that computes Fourier transforms. This simple activity will allow students to utilise the known properties of Fourier transforms and simulate diffraction patterns of arbitrary apertures that are not easily available in laboratories.
Keyhole-shaped aperture and its diffraction pattern
Circular aperture and its diffraction pattern
Project completed under the supervision of Dr. Leena Joshi at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai