Theoretical analysis for image formation of a lens system using a supercontinuum light source is provided. The supercontinuum wave is generated by launching femtosecond laser pulses into a highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber. Die ultra high spatial coherence (determined by the core diameter of the photonic crystal fiber) and low temporal Coherence (ultra wide spectral range from UV to near infrared) make it possible to achieve very long depth-of-focus projection without speckle noise. Even though the numerical aperture of the lens is as high as 1, the simulation result indicates that the depth of focus call be very large, in the order of centimeters. An application to 3D sensing using the supercontinuum wave is presented is well. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals. Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1999-1904, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24464
