Communication modes in scalar diffraction

The communication modes are a useful concept in studies of optical resolution, wave propagation, and image synthesis. We present an overview of earlier results on the communication modes in scalar diffraction theory. Besides the general theory, the modes are reviewed for the far-field and Fresnel regimes, and new eigenequations are derived for wide-angle diffraction. We prove a conjugate relationship between the transmitting and receiving modes in a general symmetric system. We also suggest an approximate method for far-field and Fresnel domain propagation, in which propagation amounts to a rotation of each mode in the complex plane. The main focus is on the near-field communication modes, where we present numerical examples of the modes and coupling strengths for a near-field geometry with a sub-wavelength size receiving domain. These results provide insights, for example, into the understanding of near-field scanning probe techniques.     

Sensitivity of Z-scan using diffraction efficiency

We report Z-scan and eclipsing Z-scan experimental traces measuring diffraction efficiency in the image plane of the 4f system. Using nonlinearly diffracted energy, the sensitivity of both techniques is compared in order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The optimization of the optical signal for nonlinear characterization is proposed. A simple linear relation is provided in order to characterize nonlinear refraction from diffraction efficiency measurements. The influence of the nonlinear absorption is discussed.     

Improving both transverse mode discrimination and diffraction losses in a plano-concave cavity

The paper considers the interest in using two apertures rather than one in a plano-concave cavity for improving the discrimination between TEM₀₀ and TEM₁₀ modes while keeping the diffraction losses unchanged or even decreasing them. Such an investigation involves stochastic methods like simulated annealing that can be used if and only if the resonant field computation time is low. Fortunately, a quad-double arithmetic recurrence formula allows to compute round-trip operators faster than any adaptative numerical integrator with the same accuracy.     

MTPO based potential function of the boundary diffraction wave theory

A novel potential function is introduced by using the modified theory of physical optics integrals for a perfectly conducting half-plane. The function is valid for arbitrary aspects of observation. The line integration of these functions gives the total scattered fields. The method is applied to the problem of diffraction of plane waves by an opaque half-plane for oblique incidence.     

The influence of diffraction in microinterferometry and microtomography of optical fibers

Interferometric measurement of two- and three-dimensional refractive index distribution in optical fibers is numerically simulated with the use of wavefront calculation method based on Hyugens–Fresnel principle. The calculation is performed for two models of fibers: homogenous and step-index multi-mode fiber. The simulation is aimed at determination of errors caused by diffraction artifacts due to microdimensions of tested objects and the presence of boundaries of media with different refractive indices. The result of simulation is methodology of increasing the accuracy of measurement in selected areas of measurement field/volume. The simulation outcomes are confirmed by the experiment.     

衍射透镜的精确设计方法

根据光线在基板和衍射层中实际光路作者导出了衍射透镜的精确设计计算公式,基于这种公式设计出的微透镜的成象质量优于基于简化公式设计的衍射透镜.本文介绍这些严密的设计公式和设计过程,给出了工作波长λ=0.6328μm、直径2R=300μm、基板(折射率ns=1.51)厚1000μm、衍射层折射率nd=1.56的微透镜设计面形以及象点的能量分布.     

A hybrid Maliuzhinets/PO method for diffraction problems by impedance wedges

The solution of Maliuzhinets of the diffraction problem of waves by an impedance wedge is transformed into a physical optics integral. The resultant expression is suitable for the investigation of various diffraction problems having impedance wedges. The method is applied to the scattering of waves by an impedance spherical reflector with wedge structure at its discontinuity. The results are examined numerically.     

A fresh outlook for Fresnel diffraction

Fresnel theory, with certain level of assumptions, explains satisfactorily observed diffraction patterns. It is a scalar theory and basically it deals special way of superposition of fields originated from several points of Huygens wave front. In the present paper a total new approach is proposed according to which the interacting electric fields are not originated from the secondary emitters of the same wave front, instead, they are originated from the successive Huygens wave fronts. The proposed approach is explained with the help of the circular aperture. This new view supports Fresnels theory without a set of assumptions.     

Anisotropic Bragg diffraction of finite-sized volume holographic grating in photorefractive crystals

Anisotropic diffraction of uniform plane wave by finite-sized volume holographic grating in photorefractive crystals is considered. It is found that the anisotropic diffraction can take place when some special conditions are satisfied. The diffracted image is obtained in experiment for the anisotropic Bragg diffraction in Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals. A coupled wave analysis is presented to study the properties of anisotropic diffraction. An analytical integral solution for the amplitudes of the diffracted beams is submitted. A trade off between high diffraction efficiency and the deterioration of reconstruction fidelity is analyzed. Numerical evaluations also show that the finite-sized anisotropic volume grating exhibits strong angular and wavelength selectivity. All the results are useful for the optimizing design of VHOE based on finite-sized volume grating structures.     

The investigation of three layers diffraction optical element with wide field of view and high diffraction efficiency

In this paper, a novel three layers diffraction optical element (TLDOE) composed of the optical materials with different indices and dispersion in each layer has been designed and investigated, the principle of selecting optical materials is discussed as well. The diffraction efficiency of the TLDOE at each wavelength in designed band is larger than 90% and the field of view (FOV) can even reach 110°, which can effectively improve energy utilization ratio and image quality of the hybrid refractive–diffractive optical system.     

ICF系统中全息透镜聚焦特性及衍射效率分析

 根据全息透镜的工作原理，利用光线追迹法对其聚焦特性进行了理论分析。使用标量衍射法分析了全息透镜的衍射效率，讨论了不同的光栅槽型对其衍射效率的影响。对分析过程中所涉及到的有关近似处理方法的使用和影响进行了说明，讨论了全息透镜用作取样光栅的优点。     

THz near-field optical imaging by a local source

A new THz imaging system based on a local illumination by a near-field source is presented. Model object is imaged, and sub-wavelength spatial resolution is demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge with this configuration. The contrast and the resolution are confirmed by a theoretical study based on the diffraction in near-field zone.     

Numerical simulation of wavefronts diffracted by apertures with circular symmetry

The numerical simulation of the wavefronts diffracted by apertures with circular symmetry is realized by a numerical method. It is based on the angular spectrum of plane waves, which ignored the vector nature of light. The on-axial irradiance distributions of plane wavefront and Gauss wavefront diffracted by the circular aperture have been calculated along the propagation direction. Comparisons of the simulation results with the analytical results and the experimental results tell us that it is a feasible method to calculate the diffraction of apertures.     

Near field optics and light confinement

By exploring the surface of an illuminated object at a very short distance by means of a subwavelength detector, it is possible to reconstruct images whose resolution is beyond the diffraction limit. This opportunity due to the properties of near fields can be explained in terms of non radiating field detection. Such a detection is the basis of near field microscopy. In this communication emphasis will be put on some fundamental aspects of the new concept of non radiative optics such as the relation between Rayleigh criterion and Heisenberg principle and the notion of light confinement. Some proposals of non radiative transfers will be evoked.     

An interference-based optical authentication scheme using two phase-only masks with different diffraction distances

A new method to eliminate the security risk of the well-known interference-based optical cryptosystem is proposed. In this method, which is suitable for security authentication application, two phase-only masks are separately placed at different distances from the output plane, where a certification image (public image) can be obtained. To further increase the security and flexibility of this authentication system, we employ one more validation image (secret image), which can be observed at another output plane, for confirming the identity of the user. Only if the two correct masks are properly settled at their positions one could obtain two significant images. Besides, even if the legal users exchange their masks (keys), the authentication process will fail and the authentication results will not reveal any information. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the validity and security of the proposed method.     

Vortex Stagnation problem in iterative Fourier transform algorithms

Optical vortex stagnation problem in Iterative Fourier Transform Algorithm occurs due to the termination of the process of self annihilation of optical vortices. The role played by propagation and inverse propagation operators combined with the Fourier domain constraint in this vortex annihilation process in the initial stage of the iterative procedure is studied. The understanding of this process recommends the process of forced annihilation as a solution to this stagnation problem and is demonstrated in this paper.     

Atom diffraction from magnetic gratings in the thin phase-grating approximation

The problem of atom diffraction from a reflecting magnetic diffraction grating is solved in the thin phase-grating approximation. The general problem for scalar diffraction is modelled using a semi-classical method in which the grating potential is separated into a reflecting term and a diffracting term. The trajectory of the atom in the reflecting potential is solved classically and the atom wave function in the diffracting potential found by integrating the phase change along the classical trajectory. The diffraction orders are obtained after Fourier transforming the result. This can be done independently of the grating potential resulting in a general formula for the diffraction efficiencies. The general result is applied to the problem of atom diffraction from a magnetic grating. Several approximations are required to reduce the problem to a form amenable to analytic solution. The results are compared with an accurate numerical method. Received 1st February 2001 and Received in final form 8 March 2001     

Shape resonances in nested diffraction gratings

The diffraction problem of a plane wave impinging on a grating formed by nested cavities is solved by means of the modal method, for s and p polarization modes. The cavities are formed by perfectly conducting sheets that describe rectangular profiles. The electromagnetic response of the grating is analyzed, paying particular attention to the generation of resonances within the structure. The dependence of the resonances on the geometrical parameters of the grating is studied, and results of far and near field are shown. The results are checked and compared with those available in the literature for certain limit cases.     

Effects of thermal treatment on femtosecond laser fabricated diffraction gratings in polystyrene

We report the fabrication of efficient, buried diffraction gratings and micro-craters in bulk polystyrene using femtosecond laser direct writing technique. We recorded a maximum diffraction efficiency of 10% for a buried grating fabricated at 1 μJ energy, 1 mm/s speed, and a period of 30 μm. Buried micro-craters, with typical dimensions of ∼2 μm, were achieved at low energies and high scanning speeds. From the field emission scanning electron microscope studies, the observed emission is attributed as due to the inner surface modifications and the debris settled around the voids. The fabricated gratings subjected to heat treatment were tested for the diffraction efficiency and emission at different excitation wavelengths and the observed results are presented. Raman spectra collected from the femtosecond laser modified regions revealed the disappearance of few Raman modes at high peak intensities associated with incident Gaussian laser pulse. Potential applications of these luminescent micro-craters are highlighted.     

单模锥形光纤锥区光场及超短脉冲的传输特性

根据光波导理论,采用数值方法分析了单模锥形光纤锥区传输常数和光场分布的变化情况.采用分步傅里叶法数值求解广义的非线性薛定谔方程,对超短脉冲在锥区的传输演化进行了研究.结果表明:传输常数沿拉锥方向缓慢减小,在拉锥末端迅速减小;在拉锥初始阶段,能量主要集中在纤芯中,"转换点"之后能量在纤芯和包层中重新分布,光强在拉锥末端变强;脉宽小于80 fs的超短脉冲沿锥区传输时,沿拉锥方向,脉冲不断展宽,而当脉宽大于80 fs时,脉冲展宽不明显.