Oversampling Effects on the Resolution of Diffraction Patterns

A Research Abstract by Amine Soufaih

The oversampling method, which consists of surrounding a sampled object with a zero-density region, can affect the aliasing, noise and resolution of a Diffraction pattern. In this paper, we will analyze the diffraction patterns of different objects using both 1-Dimensional and 2-Dimensional Fourier Transforms, and explain theoretically and experimentally how the oversampling ratio of an aperture affects the resolution of its diffraction pattern. We will show mathematically how changing the oversampling ratio in the Discrete Fourier Transform can affect the resolution of the diffraction pattern. To complement the theory, the diffraction patterns of experimental objects with different oversampling ratios will be analyzed and compared. Experimental results show great agreement with theoretical predictions. For both the 1-Dimensional and 2-Dimensional cases, increasing the oversampling ratio of a diffracting object leads to a higher resolution of its diffraction pattern.

Please click here to read Amine’s full research paper.

“I have always had a passion for science and physics, and doing this research through the Pioneer Research Program* has allowed me to confirm and deepen this passion.”

Amine Soufaih is a Moroccan student from the ALA class of 2016.

The Pioneer Research Program is a program in which high school students conduct academic research under the supervision of a recognised university professor. Click here to find out more about the Pioneer Research Program.