Design and construction of a PVDF Fresnel lens

The design, construction, and performance of an experimental broadband polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) Fresnel lens are discussed. The potential application of a lens of this type in medical imaging, particularly for shallow features such as the carotid artery, is addressed. A model for the lens is proposed. A general pressure transfer function which is used to obtain theoretical on-axis and focal plane beam profiles is derived. The construction of a seven-zone, 15-mm PVDF zone plate is discussed, and experimental self-convolution results are presented.<>