Unusual features of a generalized complex-binary diffraction grating

The diffraction efficiencies of a complex binary diffraction grating with a rectangular profile are controlled through the steps’ phases, amplitudes, and duty cycle, based on analytical expressions. It is demonstrated that the zeroth-diffraction order can be canceled for any arbitrary value of the duty cycle, provided that a π -phase difference is imposed, along with a specific ratio of the steps’ amplitudes. This feature is not feasible for separated amplitude-only and phase-only rectangular binary gratings in the context of one-dimensional gratings. In this framework, a key analytic relationship between the duty cycle and the steps’ amplitude ratio is derived, allowing the design of such gratings with this desired feature across a wide range of conditions, not limited to a duty cycle of 0.5. Concerning the higher diffraction orders, it is proved that their intensities cancel or maximize for fixed duty cycle no matter the amplitude and phase values of the steps. The intensity of the m -th diffraction order possesses m maxima and m − 1 zeros on the full range of the duty cycle. All these features were corroborated experimentally. The broad insight of such a grating allows the design of gratings with diffraction efficiencies tailored for specific applications.