Minimal Focal Spot Size Measured Based on Intensity and Power Flow.

Victor V Kotlyar,Vladislav D Zaitsev,Sergey S Stafeev

doi:10.3390/s21165505

Abstract

It is shown, theoretically and numerically, that the distributions of the longitudinal energy flow for tightly focused light with circular and linear polarization are the same, and that the spot has circular symmetry. It is also shown that the longitudinal energy flows are equal for optical vortices with unit topological charge and with radial or azimuthal polarization. The focal spot has a minimum diameter (all other characteristics being equal), which is measured based on the intensity of an optical vortex with azimuthal polarization. The diameter of the focal spot calculated from the energy flow for light with circular or linear polarization is slightly larger (by a fraction of a percentage). The magnitude of the diameter based on the intensity plays a role in the interaction of light with matter, and the magnitude of the diameter based on the energy flux affects the resolution in optical microscopy which is crucial in sensorial applications.

Highlights

IPSI RAS—Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Molodogvardeyskaya 151, Department of Technical Cybernetics, Samara National Research University, Moskovskoye Shosse 34, 443086 Samara, Russia
The magnitude of the diameter based on the intensity plays a role in the interaction of light with matter, and the magnitude of the diameter based on the energy flux affects the resolution in optical microscopy which is crucial in sensorial applications
This means that the focal spots measured based on the energy flux for light with linear and circular polarization will be round, and will have the same diameter

Summary

Introduction

IPSI RAS—Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Molodogvardeyskaya 151, Department of Technical Cybernetics, Samara National Research University, Moskovskoye Shosse 34, 443086 Samara, Russia. It is shown, theoretically and numerically, that the distributions of the longitudinal energy flow for tightly focused light with circular and linear polarization are the same, and that the spot has circular symmetry. It is shown that the longitudinal energy flows are equal for optical vortices with unit topological charge and with radial or azimuthal polarization. The focal spot has a minimum diameter (all other characteristics being equal), which is measured based on the intensity of an optical vortex with azimuthal polarization.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion