Multifocal array with controllable orbital angular momentum modes by tight focusing

Abstract

Multifocal spots arrays with controllable three-dimensional (3D) position, orbital angular momentum (OAM) and the number of focal planes along longitudinal direction have been proposed and investigated by using a special designed phase-only multi-zone plate at the back aperture of a high numerical aperture (NA) objective. By using Debye diffraction integral, the focusing field could be rewritten as a fast Fourier transform (FFT), which is the theory and principle for generating the controllable OAM-modes focusing spots. According to this theory, a hybrid multi-zone plate at the back aperture of a high NA objective is designed for the illuminations of the radially polarized Bessel–Gaussian beam. Each focusing spot in the focal plane is generated by independent parts, so the multiplexing OAM-modes could be realized by focusing two or more spots at the same position with different orthogonal eigenstates. It is a practical and flexible OAM multi-focus technique with dynamically controllable 3D position, number of focal planes, corresponding topological charges and focal lengths to meet different requirements, such as 3D optical data storage, air-core fiber coupler and parallel optical manipulation.