Design and application of diffractive optical element: a review

Diffractive optical element (DOE) has the characteristics of lightweight, flexibility, and easy replication, which meet the needs of miniaturization, integration, and mass production of optical systems. They play and will continue to play an important role in multiple fields of modern optics. In application scenarios with different requirements, researchers need to flexibly apply design methods to customize DOE with specific functions. On the basis of reviewing the basic principles of DOE design, existing DOE design methods based on diffraction principle and interference principle are briefly described. Combined with the latest application progress of DOE in the field of imaging and display, the applicability of DOE design methods is elaborated. Finally, the difficulties faced in DOE design are summarized, and potential application directions in future technology are prospected.