OPTICAL ELEMENT WITH FULL COMPLEX MODULATION

The present invention is related to an optical element that carries out the full complex phase and amplitude modulation of light wave fronts. The phase modulation can be attained by changing the optical pathway (for example, by changing the thickness or introducing a relief upon the optical surface) and the amplitude modulation is carried out by blocking the light pathway, (for example, by reflecting, absorbing, attenuating, blocking, polarizing or changing the polarization of the light).