Focal shift in radially polarized beam with high NA lens axicon by using radial cosine phase wavefront

Focal shift in radially polarized beam with radial cosine phase wavefront are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. The wavefront phase distribution is cosine function of radial coordinate. Simulation results show that when the radially polarized beam with radial cosine wavefront phase is focused, the focal pattern differs considerably with frequency parameter in the cosine function term. On increasing C, focus can shift along optical axis and focal pattern changes remarkably. Focus may move in different direction under different condition. Focal shift distance fluctuates on increasing C, and fluctuation amplitude also increases simultaneously. In addition, focal shift direction can also be adjusted by changing frequency parameter in cosine function.     

Radially polarized hollow Gaussian beam with on-axis spiral optical vortex

The focusing properties of radially polarized hollow Gaussian beam (HGB) with on-axis spiral optical vortex are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. The phase wavefront of HGB is the function of radial coordinate. Calculation results show that the focusing properties can be altered considerably by beam order of HGB, topological charge of the on-axis optical vortex, and phase parameter that characterizes the radial phase wavefront distribution. Higher topological charge induces focal evolution from one focal spot to annular focal pattern in transverse direction, while phase parameter can lead to focal shift along optical axis remarkably. In addition, focal shift direction can also be adjusted by changing varying direction of phase parameter.     

Focal shifting of transversely polarized beam using cosine phase plate

Focal shift of transversely polarized beams induced by cosine phase masks are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. Results show that when the transversely polarized beam with radial cosine wavefront phase is focused, the focal pattern differs considerably with frequency parameter in the cosine function term. Increasing the value of frequency parameter in the cosine part of the phase mask, focal shift may occur, simultaneously, the focal shift direction may change. Moreover, by altering frequency parameter or phase variation parameter of the phase mask will change the energy distributions of maximum intensity peak and other small intensity peaks. And novel focal patterns also evolve considerably, such as from only one peak to five of multiple peaks. The tunable focal shift can be used to construct controllable optical tweezers.     

Focal shift and focusing properties generation by radial cosine phase masks

Focal shift and focusing properties of Gaussian beams induced by radial cosine phase masks are investigated. Results show that focal shift and the energy distribution among intensity peaks are controlled by two different parameters of the radial cosine phase mask. Increasing the value of frequency parameter in the cosine part of the phase mask, focal shift and focal switch may occur, simultaneously, the focal shift direction may change. Moreover, by altering frequency parameter or phase variation parameter of the phase mask will change the energy distributions of maximum intensity peak and other small intensity peaks. And novel focal patterns also evolve considerably, such as from only one peak to six of multiple peaks. The tunable focal shift can be used to construct controllable optical tweezers. In practice, the tunable phase mask can be implemented through liquid crystal spatial light modulator, which can conveniently alter the wavefront phase distribution of the incident laser beam in the control of computer.     

Focal shift in radially polarized hollow Gaussian beam

Focal shift in radially polarized hollow Gaussian beam (HGB) with radial wavefront distribution is investigated theoretically. The wavefront phase distribution is cosine function of radial coordinate. Simulation results show that the intensity distribution in focal region of the radially polarized HGB can be adjusted considerably by the beam order of HGB n and cosine parameter C that indicates the phase change degree. On increasing C, focus can shift along optical axis and focal pattern changes remarkably. Focus may move in different direction under different condition. Focal shift distance fluctuates on increasing C, and fluctuation amplitude also increases simultaneously. In addition, threshold value of C for focal shift from one side to the other side of the paraxial focal plane differs for different n.     

Focusing properties of radially polarized Bessel-like beam with radial cosine phase wavefront by a high numerical aperture objective

By the use of the vector diffraction theory, the focusing properties of radially polarized Bessel-like beam with radial cosine wave front phase through a high numerical-aperture (NA) lens are investigated theoretically and numerically in this work. The wave front phase distribution is a cosine function of radial coordinate. Calculation results show that focus shift is considerably influenced by changing frequency parameter C and topological charge. An increase on the focus shift C, the total intensity pattern changes remarkably and it focuses along the optical propagation axis. Thus, the focal shift direction can be adjusted by the change of the frequency parameter in cosine function. In this paper, the generation of the focal spot allows an increase in focal length in the axial direction of the incident beam propagation. Under higher numerical aperture (NA = 0.95), the effect of the frequency parameter and topological charge on the focal pattern gets stronger.     

Radially polarized hyperbolic-cosine-Gaussian beam

Vector beams have attracted much interest recently. In this paper, focusing properties of the radially polarized hyperbolic-cosine-Gaussian beam are investigated. Simulation results show that the focal depth increases with increasing cosine parameter in the cosine term of the beam, while focal spot decreases simultaneously, namely, superresolution occurs. Focal depth increase velocity is quicker for larger cosine parameter, while the transverse focal spot shrinks more quickly for smaller cosine parameter. In addition, for two-portion concentric piecewise radially polarized hyperbolic-cosine-Gaussian beam with π phase shift in center circle portion, focal pattern evolves considerably with increasing cosine parameter, and the evolution principle differs for different radius of the center circle portion. Focal splitting and novel focal spots may appear. This kind of vector beam can be used in optical storage, optical manipulation, and lithography.     

Focal shift of radially polarized axisymmetric Bessel modulated Gaussian beam with radial variance phase plate

Focal shift of the radially polarized axisymmetric QBG beam with radial variance phase plate is investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. Axisymmetric Bessel modulated Gaussian beam with quadratic radial dependence (QBG beam) has attracted much attention recently. Calculation results show that focus shifts considerably by changing the phase parameter C that indicates the radial phase variance speed. Under condition of beam parameter μ of radially polarized axisymmetric QBG beam, there is one focal spot that shifts far away from optical aperture on increasing C. When increases the value of beam parameter, there may occur two focal peaks that also shift remarkably on increasing C.     

Tight Focusing Properties of Radially Polarized Gaussian Beams with Pair of Vortices

The tight focusing properties of a radially polarized Gaussian beam with a nested pair of vortices having a radial wave front distribution are investigated theoretically by the vector diffraction theory.The results show that the optical intensity in the focal region can be altered considerably by changing the location of the vortices nested in a radially polarized Gaussian beam.It is noted that focal evolution from one annular focal pattern to a highly confined focal spot in the transverse direction is observed corresponding to the change in the location of the optical vortices in the input plane.It is also observed that the generated focal hole or spot lead to a focal shift along the optical axis remarkably under proper radial phase modulation.Hence the proposed system may be applied to construct tunable optical traps for both high and low refractive index particles.     

Focal shift of cylindrical vector axisymmetric Bessel-modulated Gaussian beam with radial variance phase wavefront

Axisymmetric Bessel-modulated Gaussian beam with quadratic radial dependence (QBG beam) has attracted much attention recently. In this paper, the focal shift of the cylindrical vector QBG beam with radial variance phase wavefront is investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. Results show that focus shifts considerably by changing the phase parameter C that indicates the radial phase variance speed. Under condition of small beam parameter μ of cylindrical vector QBG beam, there is one focal peak that shifts far away from optical aperture on increasing C. When μ increases, there may occur two focal peaks that also shift remarkably on increasing C. And it was found that the dependence of focal shift distance on increasing phase parameter is linear. Phase parameter adjusts the focal shift distance, while, polarization angle does not affect focal shift obviously.     

Focus evolution of linearly polarized Lorentz beam with sine-azimuthal variation wavefront induced by one on-axis optical vortex

Focus evolution of linearly polarized Lorentz beam with sine-azimuthal variation wavefront induced by one on-axis optical vortex was investigated theoretically in this article. Calculation results show that the focal pattern can be altered considerably by the charge number of on-axis optical vortex under condition of certain beam parameters and phase parameter that indicates the sine phase change frequency on increasing azimuthal angle. And the focal evolution principle differs remarkably for different beam parameters and the phase parameter. In focus evolution process, some novel focal patterns appear, including annular focal pattern, two-peak focal pattern, intensity lines, hexagon containing two peaks, swallowtail shape, multipede shape, and complex focal pattern. Introduction of optical vortex adds one controllable parameter to alter focal pattern, which may extend application of Lorentz beam in some focusing systems.     

Focusing properties of spirally polarized hollow Gaussian beam

Focusing properties of spirally polarized hollow Gaussian beam (HGB) are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory in this article. Results show that the optical intensity in focal region of spirally polarized HGB can be altered considerably by the beam order, numerical aperture of the focusing system, and spiral parameter that indicates the polarization spiral degree of the spirally polarized HGB. Spiral parameter can induce focal pattern change in axial direction remarkably, while beam order and numerical aperture affect radial foal pattern more obviously. The tunable principle of the focal pattern by spiral parameter differs very considerably under condition of different numerical aperture and beam order. Many novel focal patterns may occur in focal pattern evolution. It was also found that focal shift and focal depth can be altered significantly by spiral parameter and beam order.     

Focal patterns of sine-azimuthal wavefront-modulated cosh-Gaussian beams by half space phase plate

The pure phase plate was introduced to alter the half-space phase value of the incident linearly polarized hyperolic-cosine-Gaussian (cosh-Gaussian) beams with sine-azimuthal variation wavefront, and focusing properties of the cosh-Gaussian beams by half space phase plate were investigated in detail. Simulation results show that focal pattern can be altered very considerably by the phase plate under condition of different beam parameters, numerical aperture, and phase parameter that indicates the phase change frequency on increasing azimuthal angle. Symmetry of the whole focal pattern can be altered remarkably, polysymmetrical focal patterns evolve into nonsymmetrical focal patterns. And some novel focal shape may appear, including cross-shape, multiple-peak focal pattern, multiple intensity lines, wheel focal pattern, swallowtail focal pattern, and dark hollow focal spots.     

Effect of annular apodization and pupil beam parameter in the focal region of high NA lens

Focusing properties of the radially polarized axisymmetric Bessel-modulated Gaussian beam with quadratic radial dependence (QBG beam) and annular aperture are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. Simulation results show that the intensity distribution in the focal region of the radially polarized axisymmetric QBG beam can be adjusted considerably by small beam parameter (μ) and annular aperture (δ). When μ increases, the focal spot may change to focal hole and changes focal pattern remarkably. On introducing annular aperture, focus can split or extends along the optical axis for different μ. In this paper, we have shown the generation of the focal spot, dark focal spot, focal split and increase in focal depth in the axial direction of the incident beam propagating through the aligned optical system.     

Generation of multiple sub wavelength focal spot segments using radially polarized Bessel Gaussian beam with complex phase filter

We propose a new approach for generating multiple focal spot segment of sub wavelength size, by tight focusing of phase modulated radially polarized Bessel Gaussian beam. The focusing properties are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. We observed that focal segment with multiple focal spots structure separated with different axial distance can be generated by properly tuning the phase of the incident radially polarized Bessel Gaussian (BG) beam. Potential applications of this focal shaping technique are also discussed.     

Tight focusing of phase modulated radially polarized hollow Gaussian beam using complex phase filter

We propose a new approach for generating multiple focal spot segment of sub wavelength size, by tight focusing of phase modulated radially polarized hollow Gaussian beam. The focusing properties are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. We observed that focal segment with multiple focal spots structure separated with different axial distance can be generated by properly tuning the phase of the incident radially polarized hollow Gaussian (HGB) beam. Potential applications of this focal shaping technique are also discussed.     

Tight Focusing Properties of Phase Modulated Radially Polarized Laguerre Bessel Gaussian Beam

We propose a new approach for generating a multiple focal spot segment of subwavelength size, by tight focusing of a phase modulated radially polarized Laguerre Bessel Gaussian beam. The focusing properties are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. We observe that the focal segment with multiple focal structures is separated with different axial distances and a super long dark channel can be generated by properly tuning the phase of the incident radially polarized Laguerre Bessel Gaussian beam. We presume that such multiple focal patterns and high intense beam may find applications in atom optics, optical manipulations and multiple optical trapping.     

Hyperbolic-cosine-Gaussian beam with sine-azimuthal variation wavefront

Intensity distribution in focal plane plays an important role in many optical systems and has attracted much attention. In this paper, focusing properties of hyperbolic-cosine-Gaussian (cosh-Gaussian) beam with sine-azimuthal variation wavefront is investigated. Wavefront distribution is the sine function of the azimuthal angle. Results show that the sine parameter in the sine part of the cosh-Gaussian and decentered parameter associated with the cosh parts affect focal pattern considerably. Many novel focal patterns may occur, including cross-shape focal pattern with four intensity peak, intensity peak array, intensity peak wheel, and swallowtail multiple-peak focal pattern. The focal pattern evolution principle on increasing decentered parameter differs remarkably for different sine parameter. In addition, some focal spots are smaller than focal spot with incident Gaussian beam, which means super resolution effect appears under condition of certain sine parameter and decentered parameter.     

Investigation of Near-Field Imaging Characteristics of Radial Polarization for Application to Optical Data Storage

Radially polarized incident light can generate a more confined longitudinal electric field on a focal plane in near-field (NF) optics than focusing circularly polarized light. Using this phenomenon, it is feasible to reduce beam spot size on storage media to increase the areal density of optical data storage. A radially polarized beam generates a beam spot which is 20% more confined on the 1st surface of medium than that of circularly polarized light. However, the peak intensity of total electric field sharply decreases and its transverse component is much more dominant inside the media stack. This confirms that radially polarized optics can be a candidate not for an NF recording system but for an NF read-only memory (ROM) system. Potentially, the results could be useful to understand the effect of radial and circular polarizations inside and outside medium for various applications of NF optics.     

Nondiffracting transversally polarized beam

Generation of a nondiffracting transversally polarized beam by means of transmitting an azimuthally polarized beam through a multibelt spiral phase hologram and then highly focusing by a high-NA lens is presented. A relatively long depth of focus (～4.84λ) of the electric field with only radial and azimuthal components is achieved. The polarization of the wavefront near the focal plane is analyzed in detail by calculating the Stokes polarization parameters. It is found that the polarization is spatially varying and entirely transversally polarized, and the polarization singularity disappears at the beam center, which makes the central bright channel possible.