What's the physical significance of using fourier transform for diffraction? I am studying some basic idea of diffraction and there mention in far field, the diffraction pattern could be understood by Fourier transform. But I just don't understand what's the physical fact for that. And why cannot use Fourier transform for the the near-field case? 
Also, when I am trying to understand the theory of diffraction, it ends up with some complicate math (integrals). I want to learn that but the books I am reading are not easy to understand. Anyone recommends some good books  or video lectures (more theoretical but to explain most of the math in plain way)? 
 A: To give an unmathematical catchy answer, let's look at Fraunhofer diffraction in double slit experiment.
Interference at the observation plane depends on slit parameter $d$. What is the frequency of slits? E.g. $1\,\text{mm}\frac{1}{d}$: number of slits per length. Concluding frequiency in the setup. The following argumentation links this frequency to the fourier transform. The physical significance is in the real optics setup. The setup is easier described, when transformed in fourier space.
The double slit link on high school level above gives all the math without integrals. After visualizing the following concept, you see that the integrals are just math to convert the diffraction pattern in fourier space via fourier transformation.

Using trigonometry first compute phase difference $\Delta\phi(\theta,d)$.
Go deeper in this concept using a sketch to visualize phase difference of $n\cdot\lambda$, $n\in\mathbf{N}$ as bright maxima in diffraction pattern. There is no magic in the next step. It's just a another point of view: Try to grasp $\frac{1}{d}$ as a parameter on its own: $\Delta\phi(\theta,\frac{1}{d})$.
Fourier space is a synonym for frequency domain. Acoustics examples are given in Eichenlaubs SE answer and ptomatoes optics explanation. 
No literature: Calculate and understand yourself with the links above.
A: To make it short, my interpretation of the Fourier transform in optics is that is transforms positions (and phase) of the rays at some given plane, to their angles. One given angle corresponds to one given oscillation of the phase, i.e. one point on the Fourier space.
