Vortex lenses for optical micromanipulation

Abstract

Vortex beams are currently used in areas such as optical communication, optical measurement optical micromanipulation and many other applications. There are several prospective ways to generate vortex beams such as: by using special gratings [1,2], spiral phase plates[3], vortex zone plate [4]. Bessel and Gauss-Laguerre beams [5,6] are also considered as Vortex beams. Generation of Bessel beams by vortex axicons were considered in [6]. Possibility of combining the structures and zones topological charge of axicon in the same element was shown. Desired order of Bessel beams can be generated by a large variability of phase diffractive optical elements. In [7] method of forming a simple vortex beams by using a new type of diffractive optical elements, was presented. Diffractive optical element is a lens vortex with a topological charge zones, like the vortex in axicon [8]. In this paper, we have generated vortex beams by the method described in [7], but in addition the lens partitioned into two areas. Each area has different focal length. The proposed element structure can significantly extend focal region with the generated vortex beam that allows rotating microscopic objects in the threedimensional layer.