Axial intensity distribution behind a Fresnel zone plate

An analytical expression based on an improved Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction formula with evanescent term is derived for analyzing the axial light intensity distribution throughout the whole space behind a Fresnel zone plate. The effects of the number of Fresnel zones and the size of aperture on the axial intensity distribution are calculated for two kinds of Fresnel zone plate with larger and smaller aperture. The validity of the general formulae for calculating the focal lengths and the relative intensities of the foci of a Fresnel zone plate is analyzed.