This book explores the possibility of using azimuthal Walsh filters as an effective tool for manipulating far-field diffraction characteristics near the focal plane of rotationally symmetric imaging systems. It discusses the generation and synthesis of azimuthal Walsh filters, and explores the inherent self-similarity presented in various orders of these filters, classifying them into self-similar groups and sub-groups. Further, it demonstrates that azimuthal Walsh filters possess a unique rotational self-similarity exhibited among adjacent orders. Serving as an atlas of diffraction phenomena with pupil functions represented by azimuthal Walsh filters of different orders, this book describes how orthogonality and self-similarity of these filters could be harnessed to sculpture 2D and 3D light distributions near the focus. weiterlesen