Toward a spherical spot distribution with 4pi focusing of radially polarized light

The properties of the focal spot for 4pi focusing with radially polarized light are presented for various apodization factors. With a focusing system satisfying the Herschel condition, sharp focal spots with almost-perfect spherical symmetry (leading to equal axial and transverse resolution) and extremely low sidelobes are achieved.     

4π Focusing with single paraboloid mirror

Creating small bright or dark focal spots with good spherical symmetry requires 4π focusing, usually achieved by using two counter-propagating beams and two high NA lenses that need to be positioned with interferometric accuracy. We investigate a simple alternative way of focusing light to a small and uniform bright or dark focal spot. It only requires a single parabolic mirror illuminated with a single beam from one direction, resulting in a robust and compact setup. The focal spot distribution is tailored by optimizing the polarization, intensity and helicity of the incoming illumination.     

4pi聚焦系统中振幅和相位调制的径向偏振涡旋光束聚焦特性的研究

基于Richards-Wolf矢量衍射积分公式, 研究了径向偏振涡旋光束在振幅和相位调制下的4pi聚焦特性.振幅调制是通过振幅滤波实现, 即改变入射光束起始积分值达到调节,相位调制是通过添加相位延迟角δ 的液晶相位延迟器来改变入射光束的偏振态.模拟结果显示,随着振幅的减小, 4pi聚焦系统焦点附近的光轴上呈现出多光球结构; 而相位调制对焦点附近的光强分布产生拉伸作用, 即调节入射光束的拓扑核m和相位延迟器的延迟角δ,可以得到特殊的光强分布. 随着相位δ增大, m=0产生的多光球结构慢慢向光链结构转变,最终变成暗通道;而m=1产生的光链结构慢慢变成光球结构; m=2产生的暗通道变成光球和光链叠加的结构, 这种特殊聚焦光束在光学微操纵领域具有潜在的应用价值. 关键词： 物理光学 偏振 光链 4pi聚焦系统     

径向偏振光下的长焦、紧聚焦表面等离子体激元透镜

表面等离子体激元透镜(plasmonic lens, PL)是一种通过激发和操控表面等离子体激元 (SPPs), 突破衍射极限, 实现亚波长紧聚焦的纳米光子器件. 如何实现高效率的紧聚焦及调控, 一直是研究PL的重点. 如果选取电矢量沿径向振动的径向偏振光作为PL的入射光, 可从各个方向激发SPPs, 提高紧聚焦的能量效率. 本文提出了一种在径向偏振光激发下的长焦深、长焦距、亚波长紧聚焦的表面等离子体激元透镜, 该透镜由中心T 形微孔、阶梯形同心环和同心环结构组成. 本文首先利用有限元方法数值分析了中心微孔-同心环结构透镜的聚焦特性, 结果显示径向偏振光由底部入射可高效激发SPPs, 并且中心微孔透射光与散射至自由空间的SPPs由于多光束干涉形成了紧聚焦. 为进一步压缩焦斑、增加焦距、加深焦深、改善透镜聚焦特性, 本文引入中心T形微孔-阶梯形同心环结构, 从而对阶梯表面的SPPs同时提供了相位调制和传播方向的控制. 经过参数优化, 该透镜结构实现了光斑焦深、半高宽、焦距分别是入射光波长的2.5倍、0.388 倍、3.22倍的亚波长紧聚焦; 而且该透镜具有结构紧凑、尺寸小、易于集成的优点, 满足了纳米光子学对于器件微型化和高度集成化的要求. 该研究结果在纳米光子集成、近场光学成像与探测、纳米光刻等相关领域具有潜在的应用价值.     

Design and Fabrication of Microlens Array for Near-Field Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Parallel Optical Head

A GaP microlens for collecting laser light was developed in the tip of a near-field probe. It is important to realize a near-field optical probe head with high throughput and a small spot size. The design and fabrication results of the GaP microlens array are described. The most suitable GaP microlens with a probe was calculated as having a 10 μm radius using the two-dimensional finite difference time domain (2-D FDTD) method. The full width half maximum (FWHM) spot size variation and optical power density tolerance were calculated as 157 nm ± 5 nm and 7%, respectively. A spherical GaP microlens was fabricated with a radius of 10 μm by controlling the Cl₂/Ar gas mixture ratio. The difference between the theoretical spherical shape and the fabricated GaP microlens was evaluated as 40 nm at peak to valley. The FWHM spot size and optical throughput of the fabricated microlens were measured as 520 nm and 63%, respectively. The microlens was the same as a theoretical lens with a 10 μm radius. The micron-lens array fabrication process for a near-field optical head was demonstrated in this experiment.     

Tight focusing with a binary microaxicon

Using a near-field scanning microscope (NT-MDT) with a 100 nm aperture cantilever held 1 μm apart from a microaxicon of diameter 14 μm and period 800 nm, we measure a focal spot resulting from the illumination by a linearly polarized laser light of wavelength λ=532 nm, with its FWHM being equal to 0.58λ, and the depth of focus being 5.6λ. The rms deviation of the focal spot intensity from the calculated value is 6%. The focus intensity is five times larger than the maximal illumination beam intensity.     

Magnetic properties of epitaxial-grown exchange-coupled FePt/FeRh bilayer films

The propagation of a laser beam through a micro-lens array (MLA) was simulated using Finite Time Difference Domain (FDTD) method. The intensity distribution at different output planes away from the micro-lens array surface was investigated. As compared to the focal plane, the intensity distribution observed at those out-of-focus planes varies, which is attributed to the interference and diffraction of output laser beams. The simulated results were counter checked by placing a physical MLA under an illumination of a 488 nm continuous wave Argon Ion laser and images were captured for different output planes. Both simulation and experimental results show a great similarity in terms of the distribution patterns. By changing the lens sag height with respect to the lens diameter, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the focused laser spot and its corresponding maximum energy flux were analyzed. A FWHM of 160 nm can be achieved by proper selection of lens sag height. It is also found that the energy flux is proportional to numerical aperture (NA).     

Automatic alignment of a Kirkpatrick-Baez active optic by use of a soft-x-ray Hartmann wavefront sensor

We present what we believe to be the first automatic alignment of a synchrotron beamline by the Hartmann technique. Experiments were performed, in the soft-x-ray range (E=3 keV, lambda=0.414 nm), by using a four-actuator Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) active optic. A system imaging the KB focal spot and a soft-x-ray Hartmann wavefront sensor were used alternatively to control the KB optic. The beam corrected with the help of the imaging system was used to calibrate the wavefront sensor. With both closed loops, we focused the beam into a 6.8 microm x 9 microm FWHM focal spot.     

Generating and shifting a spherical focal spot in a 4Pi focusing system illuminated by azimuthally polarized beams

We aim to theoretically investigate the focusing property of a 4Pi configuration under the illumination of azimuthally polarized high-order Bessel–Gaussian beams. The radial component is produced in the focal region through the introduction of a spiral phase plate. The focal region differs from the zero radial intensity component of the azimuthally polarized beams without the spiral phase plate. The spherical focal spot is generated by selecting an appropriate annular obstruction. The position of the focal spot can be shifted.     

Demagnifying far field focusing spot to deep subwavelength scale by truncated hyperlens for nanolithography

A truncated hyperlens composed of pairs of metal-dielectric cylindrical multilayers is proposed to demagnify the diffraction limited spot to achieve deep subwavelength imaging. The diffraction limited spot is focused by far field converging cylindrical wave. Numerical simulations demonstrate that full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the image down to 32 nm (∼λ/11) can be achieved from object (∼λ/3) by 365 nm light illumination. It is discussed that the influence of size and focusing shift of the spot on those of the demagnification image on photoresist. It is also demonstrated that multi-objects can be demagnified and projected on the photoresist.     

Focusing x-ray beams to nanometer dimensions

We address the question: what is the smallest spot size to which an x-ray beam can be focused? We show that confinement of the beam within a narrowly tapered waveguide leads to a theoretical minimum beam size of the order of 10 nm (FWHM), the exact value depending only on the electron density of the confining material. This limit appears to apply to all x-ray focusing devices. Mode mixing and interference can help to achieve this spot size without the need for ultrasmall apertures.     

Manipulation of doughnut focal spot by image inverting interferometry

Based on image inverting interference combined with phase modulation, we theoretically demonstrate that the doughnut focal spot can readily be manipulated, and either shrinkage or expansion of size of the central dark spot is possible in a large scale (peak-to-peak value: 0.555λ-0.830λ, or 93.3%-140.8% compared with the standard one). As the interference and phase modulation can both be achieved by a double Porro prism, it is feasible to introduce this approach into optical tweezers to improve their performance. As much as 33.9% intensity of stimulated emission depletion (STED) beam can be reduced if the further optimized configuration is utilized in STED microscopy.     

Spirally polarized axisymmetric Bessel-modulated Gaussian beam

Focusing properties of the spirally polarized axisymmetric Bessel-modulated Gaussian beam with quadratic radial dependence (QBG beam) are investigated theoretically by vector diffraction theory. Calculation results show that intensity distribution in focal region can be altered considerably by beam parameter μ and spiral parameter C that indicates polarization spiral degree. For certain real value μ, focal spot can evolve from one focal spot to one focal ring, spherical crust focal shape, then two focal rings on increasing spiral parameter C. It was found that under condition of different μ, evolution principle of focal pattern differs very remarkably on increasing C. And some novel focal shapes may appear, including rhombic shape, quadrangular shape, two-spherical crust focus shape, two-peak shape, one dark hollow focus, two dark hollow focuses pattern, triangle dark hollow focus.     

High-reflectivity high-contrast grating focusing reflector on silicon-on-insulator wafer

A high-contrast grating(HCG) focusing reflector providing phase front control of reflected light and high reflectivity is proposed and fabricated.Basic design rules to engineer this category of structures are given in detail.A 1550 nm TM polarized incident light of 11.86 mm in focal length and 0.8320 in reflectivity is obtained in experiment.The wavelength dependence of the fabricated HCGs from 1530 nm to 1580 nm is also tested.The test results show that the focal length is in the range of 11.81-12 mm,which is close to the designed focal length of 15 mm.The reflectivity is almost above 0.56 within a bandwidth of 50 nm.At a distance of 11.86 mm,the light is focused to a round spot with the highest concentration,which is much smaller than the size of the incident beam.The FWHM of the reflected light beam decreases to 120 nm,and the intensity increases to 1.18.     

Tight focusing of circularly polarized beam over high NA lens axicon with a diffractive optical element

We propose to use diffractive optical element in combination with high NA lens axicon to achieve a high depth of focus when illuminated by a circularly polarized beam. With this kind of system, the focal depth is increased to 12.816λ and the magnetic spot size is reduced to 0.3764λ. However, in the conventional lens with same NA, the FWHM of the magnetic spot is found to be 0.4308λ and its corresponding magnetization depth is only 0.888λ. The author expects that such a high focal depth strong longitudinal magnetic field with large magnetization depth can be widely used in high density magneto optic recording, laser machining, laser cutting and the scanning near-field magnetic microscope.     

Comparison of subwavelength focusing properties of diffraction and Fresnel zone plate plasmonic planar lenses

The subwavelength focusing properties of diffractive plasmonic planar lenses (DPLs) and Fresnel zone plate plasmonic planar lenses (FZPs) have been compared in this paper. To that end, we use the same lens material, incident wavelength, thickness and focal length for comparison. Both DPLs and FZPs consist of central circular slits surrounded by transparent and opaque zones and can get clear focusing performances. By using the rigorous electromagnetic numerical method, the fields in the focal region are analyzed in detail, and our results demonstrate that FZP can generate higher transmission efficiency, and higher peak field intensity at the focal plane. Focusing polarization properties of the lens illuminated by linearly polarized state, are calculated and analyzed also. The numerical results show that both the DPL and the FZP produce asymmetrical focal spot distributions with a low f-number. To the FZP, the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) varies from 256 nm (along y-axis) to 516 nm(along x-axis) and to the DPL, the FWHM varies from 256 nm(along y-axis) to 580 nm(along x-axis), respectively. But for a high f-number, the asymmetrical performance of the focal spot will be reduced due to complicated electromagnetical field interferences and micro waveguide effect. Otherwise, the DPL can get a higher depolarization effect than the FZP does.     

基于人工表面等离激元探针实现太赫兹波的紧聚焦和场增强

为提高太赫兹近场显微成像技术的分辨率,设计了一款在Teflon探针的尖锥形表面镀上厚度渐变、具有相同占空比的超薄金属银制条带的探针,用于实现探针尖端处人工表面等离激元的激发和太赫兹波的亚波长聚焦.研究表明,对于频率为0.1 THz的入射波,厚度渐变镀银条带探针产生的紧聚焦光场的尺寸可稳定在20μm左右(λ/150),探针尖端处最大电场强度为入射电场强度的849倍.研究还发现,周期性金属条带的数目和入射电场的偏振方向可对探针尖端处产生的紧聚焦光斑的尺寸和电场强度等进行灵活有效的调控.     

Focusing of a tabletop soft-x-ray laser beam and laser ablation

We focused the beam of a high-repetition-rate capillary-discharge tabletop laser operating at a wavelength of 46.9 nm, using a spherical Si/Sc multilayer mirror. The energy densities significantly exceeded the thresholds for the ablation of metals. Single-shot laser ablation patterns were used in combination with ray-tracing computations to characterize the focused beam. The radiation intensity within the 2-mum -diameter central region of the focal spot was estimated to be approximately 10(11)W/cm(2), with a corresponding energy density of ~100 J/cm(2).     

Tight Focusing of Radially and Azimuthally Polarized Vortex Beams through a Dielectric Interface

Based on vectorial Debye theory, tight focusing of radially and azimuthally polarized vortex beams passing through a dielectric interface are studied. The intensity distribution in the focal region is illustrated by numerical calculations. We show the influence of numerical-aperture （NA） on the full-width at half maximum （FWHM） of the focal spot or the focal hole. It has been found that compared with the azimuthally polarized Besse~Gaussian （BG） beams, the longitudinal component in the z direction of the radially polarized BG beams has no influence on the FWHM of the focal spot and hole, but enhances the total light intensity.     

High-order harmonic generation from solid targets with 2 mJ pulses

Harmonics up to the 18th order are generated from solid targets by focusing 2 mJ, 50 fs pulses at 800 nm to a spot size of 1.7 μm (FWHM). To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of high-harmonic generation with a very short focal length paraboloid (f/1.4) and kilohertz laser system. The harmonics have a low divergence (<4°) compared to the driving beam and conversion efficiencies (>10(-7) per harmonic) comparable to gas harmonics. No contrast enhancement techniques are employed, and the system is capable of operating at 500 Hz.