Soft-X-ray microscopy using spiral zone plates

Phase sensitive soft-x-ray microscopy methods enable the study of specimens for which phase effects are a prevalent contrast mechanism. One way to detect these phase effects is to optically implement the radial Hilbert transform by using spiral zone plates (SZPs), which results in the isotropic measurement of the amplitude and phase gradient in a sample. Soft-x-ray microscopy using an SZP as a single element objective lens was demonstrated through the imaging of a 1 microm circular aperture at a wavelength of 2.73 nm(454 eV). A regular zone plate, a charge 1 SZP, and a charge 2 SZP were fabricated using electron beam lithography and were used as the imaging optic in the microscopy setup. The charge 1 and charge 2 SZP images exhibited isotropic edge enhancement as a result of radial Hilbert filtering.     

Multi-spot focusing by using composite spiral zone plates

We present a flexible, simple, and cost effective approach for generating high-quality multiple focal spots in the far field using composite spiral zone plates (SZPs), which serve as a synthesis of two SZPs with different topological charges. By changing the topological charges of the SZPs can obtain different types of multiple focal spots. The numerical solution, fabrication method, and experimental results are presented to prove the capabilities of this approach.     

Appearance of fractional vortex dipoles by using spiral linear zone plate

We present a novel technique based on linear zone plate (LZP) by which linear singularities regarded as fractional vortex dipoles are efficiently generated. Our approach requires applying spiral phase to a LZP, so fractional vortex dipoles are then acquired. By also implementing transverse phase shift to the spiral LZP, we are able to equally divide the number of the produced dark beams carrying mixed phase dislocations into two transverse separate parts. As a result, by varying a so called the controlling parameter the lateral positions of the focused fractional vortex dipoles are changed. Since we are able to generate dark beams in different and specific linear positions, therefore we suggest these features will be of great interest in one-dimensional optical trapping. All results are completely verified by experimental works.     

使用二元相位菲涅尔波带片产生轴向线聚焦

介绍了一种全新的轴向线聚焦方案.采用菲涅尔波带片，在实验中产生了沿轴向长为5mm，宽 100μm的线聚焦.光学测量表明，线聚焦轴向强度分布比较均匀.这些参数基本上可以满足激 光等离子体实验的要求. 关键词： 菲涅尔波带片 轴向线聚焦     

Generation of single-focus phase singularity by the annulusquadrangle-element coded binary square spiral zone plates

Optical vortices(OVs) with unique square symmetry are widely used in various applications including particle manipulation,microscopy, and image processing. However, the undesired higher-order foci introduced by the conventional vortex lens such as square spiral zone plates(SSZPs) may lead to additional artifacts and thus degrade contrast sensitivity. In this endeavor, herein,we propose a methodology to combine the merit of SSZPs and the advantage of Gabor zone plates(GZPs) in establishing a spec...     

基于可调谐复振幅滤波器的超长焦深矢量光场

根据矢量光场衍射积分理论和离散复振幅光瞳滤波原理, 通过一种由双λ/2波片和离散复振幅滤波器组成的可调谐复振幅滤波器, 研究了大数值孔径下超长焦深聚焦矢量光场的构建与调控. 给出了一个六环带区的离散复振幅滤波器, 对入射光场的偏振态、振幅滤波和相位滤波三者进行同步优化, 获得了焦深接近10λ的三维平顶光场; 通过调控双λ/2波片夹角来改变聚焦光场的矢量化结构, 使之在光针场、平顶光场、光管场及中间结构光场之间交替变化. 研究结果揭示了入射光场矢量化结构演化与聚焦光场矢量化结构变换之间的关系, 解决了获取动态的、可调控的超长焦深聚焦光场的问题. 两种基本的聚焦光场光针场、光管场的独自使用或三维平顶光场的调和使用, 将会在光学显微、光学微纳操控以及光学精细加工领域获得重要应用.     

X-ray zone plates in combination with diffraction reflection

We have studied focusing of X-ray beams with use of X-ray zone plates combined with diffraction reflection. Expressions are obtained for the focal length of a zone plate combined with two or one diffraction reflection. We propose to simplify the technology of fabrication of zone plates and indicate the possibility of obtaining zone plates with ultrashort focal lengths. A zone plate as combined with diffraction reflection may become a focusing element of X-ray microscope. It may also be used for both focusing X-ray radiation from laboratory sources and synchrotron radiation.     

Characterization of focusing performance of spiral zone plates with fractal structure

We propose an efficient method of generating a vortex beam with multi-foci by using a fractal spiral zone plate(FSZP), which is designed by combining fractal structure with a spiral zone plate(SZP) in the squared radial coordinate.The theoretical analysis reveals that the number of foci that embed vortices is significantly increased as compared with that obtained by using a conventional SZP. Furthermore, the influence of topological charge on the intensity distribution in focal plane is also discussed in detail. For experimental investigation, an FSZP with topological charge p = 1 and 6.4 mm diameter is fabricated by using a photo-etching technique. The calibration indicates that the focusing performances of such a kind of zone plane(ZP) accord well with simulations, thereby providing its potential applications in multi-dimensional optical manipulation and optical imaging technology.     

X-ray phase contrast imaging with optical magnification using three-block interferometer with bi-level Fresnel zone plates

The possibility of X-ray phase contrast imaging using already suggested three-block interferometer consisting of bi-level Fresnel zone plates is considered. The interferometer operates in the amplitude-division mode and does not impose strong requirements to spatial and temporal coherences of an initial radiation. The use of the Fresnel zone plates as the interferometer blocks allows one to obtain an optically magnified image of an object and to condense the radiation incident on the tested object.     

Generation of polarization vortex beams by segmented quarter-wave plates

A spatially variable retardation device, an SQWP, is designed to generate polarization vortex beams. The transformation of Laguerre–Gaussian beams by the SQWP is further studied, and it is found that the SQWPs can also be used to generate helical beams and measure the topological charges of helical beams.     

用四台阶相位板产生涡旋光束

涡旋光束的产生与应用是当前光学领域的研究热点. 利用傅里叶级数展开法分析了四台阶相位板的相位结构, 发现四台阶相位板可看作是由一系列不同拓扑荷数的螺旋相位板所组成, 用线偏振光直接照射相位板时, 将产生多级衍射光波, 各级衍射光均为不同拓扑荷数的涡旋光波, 由于多级衍射光波间的干涉导致光强分布偏离轴对称分布, 因而与涡旋光波有一定差距. 在此基础上, 提出了用四台阶相位板产生涡旋光束的新方案, 借助于Mach-Zehnder 干涉仪光路, 两块四台阶相位板产生的衍射光干涉叠加, 通过调节干涉仪光路的相位差, 使一部分衍射级干涉相消, 另一部分衍射级干涉相长, 相互加强, 从而把线偏振光转换为涡旋光束. 数值模拟计算了几种周期数不同的四台阶相位板衍射光强和角动量分布, 并与螺旋相位板进行比较, 证明用简单的四台阶相位板不仅能够获得与用螺旋相位板相同的涡旋光束, 而且可以用周期数较小的四台阶相位板产生具有大拓扑荷数的涡旋光束, 降低了制作相位板的难度.     

Tight focusing of partially polarized vortex beams by binary phase Fresnel zone plates

Based on vectorial Debye theory, the focusing properties of partially polarized vortex beam by high numerical aperture Fresnel zone plate are investigated. The effects of the numerical apertures of and the phase difference of binary phase Fresnel zone plates, the topological charge of vortex beam and the degree of polarization of incident beam on the intensity distribution and degree of coherence in the focal plane are investigated in detail. It is shown that elliptical light spots and the flat top beam can be obtained by selecting certain parameters. Studies of degree of coherence reveal that the degree of coherence between x and y components of the electric field, which is zero in the source plane, is improved in the focal plane for vortex beam, but it is hardly changed for the nonvortex beam. It is also proved that any two of the three electric field components E_x, E_y and E_z are completely coherent everywhere in the focal region if the incident light beam is linearly polarized.     

Dual focus diffractive optical element with extended depth of focus

A dual focus property and an extended depth of focus were verified by a new type of diffractive lens displaying on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices. This type of lens is useful to read information on multilayer optical discs and tilted discs. The radial undulation of the phase groove on the diffractive lens gave the dual focus nature. The focal extension was performed by combining the dual focus lens with the axilens that was invented for expanding the depth of focus. The number of undulations did not affect the intensity along the optical axis but the central spot of the diffraction pattern.     

Radial phase modulated spiral zone plate for generation and manipulation of optical perfect vortex

We propose a novel diffractive element to produce a perfect vortex beam. Flexibility in creating any perfect vortex beam is one of the considerable advantages of this method. Moreover, simplicity in creating the element is another interesting feature of this technique. We simply produce the proposed element by shifting the phase of a spiral zone plate and demonstrate how the phase shift enables us to manage the size of the generated perfect vortex. Further studies illustrate that the shape of the vortex is preserved in a long focal depth, while the phase map rotates around the propagation axis. In addition, all experimental results denote congruence with the respective results from simulation.     

Generation of sub wavelength focal spot with large depth of focus generated by radially polarized beam

We investigate the focusing properties of a radially polarized Bessel Gaussian beam by a high numerical aperture (NA) lens based on vector diffraction theory. We observe that our proposed system generates a sub wavelength focal spot of 0.42λ having large uniform focal depth of 6.45λ. The authors expect such a long depth of focus have great potential for use in optical, biological, high-resolution and atmospheric sciences.     

Experimental verification of focus tailoring using circularly polarized vortex beams with annular pupil mask

The focusing properties of circularly polarized vortex beam are experimentally verified by examining two-photon fluorescent emission patterns inside an fluorescent microsphere. Very good agreements between the experimental and theoretical results have been obtained. Annular pupil masks are used to tailor the profile at the focus. When an circularly polarized beam with the appropriate handedness is used in combination with an annular pupil aperture, a strong longitudinal component is observed, which results in a raised center and a smaller focal spot. This interesting focusing property can be utilized in applications that require a distinct longitudinal component.     

Optimal resolution with extreme depth of focus

When the focal depth is required to be much larger than the wavelength, λ, the effective NA of the beam with optimal resolution is much less than unity. An aperture that is much larger than this beam's footprint is then of no consequence. Such beams that maximize the mean encircled energy fraction within a cylindrical focal region are shown to depend on only a single parameter, ω, that is proportional to the ratio of the square of the cylinder's radius to the product of its length and λ. A linear combination of Hermite– or Laguerre–Gaussian modes is used to represent these fields in two and three dimensions, respectively. For small ω, the results are compared both to asymptotic expansions and to optimal Gaussian and Bessel–Gauss beams.     

Optical vortex beam shaping by use of highly efficient irregular spiral phase plates for optical micromanipulation

Optical dark traps such as Laguerre-Gaussian beams, modulated optical vortices, and high-order Bessel beams have been used in the micromanipulation of microparticles. Such optical traps are highly versatile, as they are able to trap both high- and low-index microparticles as well as to set them into rotation by use of the orbital angular momentum of light. Holography has been widely used to modulate the shape of an optical vortex for new optical traps. We show that, by designing the shape of a spiral phase plate and using electron-beam lithography for fabrication, one can modulate the amplitude and the phase of an optical vortex with respect to the specific shape of the spiral phase plate as required. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report of transferring orbital angular momentum from a spiral phase plate to an absorptive microparticle in an experiment. Hence, with this technique, optical dark traps can easily be designed and fabricated.     

Measurement of soft X-ray radiation using the PF-4 plasma focus setup with semiconductor X-ray detectors

Soft X-rays were measured with time resolution at angles of 45° and 90° to the system axis in an argon atmosphere using SPPD 11-04 fast semiconductor detectors. The dependence of the X-ray yield was studied as a function of the voltage of a capacitor bank of the plasma focus in a range from 8 to 14 kV and argon pressures from 0.5 to 4 Torr. Generalization of the results obtained allowed possible interpretation of the nature of observed emission.