Creation of pure longitudinal super-oscillatory spot.

Abstract

We present a method that creates a super-oscillatory focal spot of a tightly focused radially polarized beam using the concept of a phase mask. Using vector diffraction theory, we report a super-oscillatory focal spot that is much smaller than the diffraction limit and the super-oscillation criterion. The proposed mask works as a special polarization filter that enhances the longitudinal component and filters out the transverse component of radial polarization at focus, permitting the creation of a pure longitudinal super-oscillatory focal spot.