In this Letter, we describe the optical field associated with transmittances characterized by a slit-shaped curve. The influence of the curvature is that the diffraction field generates focusing regions. The focusing geometry corresponds to the geometry of the transmittance curve, except for scaling, rotations or translations. A relevant point is that the changes in the morphology of the diffraction field are bounded by the focusing regions. Our experimental and computational results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
We analyze the diffraction field generated by coherent illumination of a three-dimensional transmittance characterized by a slit-shape curve. Generic features are obtained using the Frenet-Serret equations, which allow a decomposition of the optical field. The analysis is performed by describing the influence of the curvature and torsion on osculating, normal, and rectifying planes. We show that the diffracted field has a decomposition in three optical fields propagating along three optical axes that are mutually perpendicular. The decomposition is in terms of the Pearcey and Airy functions, and the generalized Airy function. Experimental results are shown.
With the purpose to compare the physical features of the electromagnetic field, we describe the synthesis of optical singularities propagating in the free space and on a metal surface. In both cases the electromagnetic field has a slit-shaped curve as a boundary condition, and the singularities correspond to a shock wave that is a consequence of the curvature of the slit curve. As prototypes, we generate singularities that correspond to fold and cusped regions. We show that singularities in free space may generate bifurcation effects while plasmon fields do not generate these kinds of effects. Experimental results for free-space propagation are presented and for surface plasmon fields, computer simulations are shown.
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