  Based on diffraction theory and the propagation of the light, Fourier optics
is a powerful tool allowing the estimation of a visible-range imaging system to
transfer the spatial frequency components of an object. The analyses of the
imaging systems can thus be performed and the the performance retrieved. For a
better understanding of the optical study, we present a short introduction of
the Fourier optics and we review the mathematical treatment depending on the
illumination conditions of the imaging system. Furthermore, resolution criteria
based on Fourier optics are detailed. Also, the impact of aberrations on the
imaging quality are discussed.
