dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaThe focus of light - linear polarization breaks the rotational symmetry of the focal spot
| Authors | Ralf Dorn, Susanne Quabis, Gerd Leuchs |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0304001 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0304001 |
| DOI | 10.1080/09500340308235246 |
Abstract
We experimentally demonstrate for the first time that a linearly polarized beam is focussed to an asymmetric spot when using a high-numerical aperture focussing system. This asymmetry was predicted by Richards and Wolf [Proc.R.Soc.London A, 253, 358 (1959)] and can only be measured when a polarization insensitive sensor is placed in the focal region. We used a specially modified photodiode in a knife edge type set up to obtain highly resolved images of the total electric energy density distribution at the focus. The results are in good agreement with the predictions of a vectorial focussing theory.
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"abstract": "We experimentally demonstrate for the first time that a linearly polarized\nbeam is focussed to an asymmetric spot when using a high-numerical aperture\nfocussing system. This asymmetry was predicted by Richards and Wolf\n[Proc.R.Soc.London A, 253, 358 (1959)] and can only be measured when a\npolarization insensitive sensor is placed in the focal region. We used a\nspecially modified photodiode in a knife edge type set up to obtain highly\nresolved images of the total electric energy density distribution at the focus.\nThe results are in good agreement with the predictions of a vectorial focussing\ntheory.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0304001",
"authors": [
"Ralf Dorn",
"Susanne Quabis",
"Gerd Leuchs"
],
"categories": [
"physics.optics"
],
"doi": "10.1080/09500340308235246",
"title": "The focus of light - linear polarization breaks the rotational symmetry of the focal spot",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0304001"
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