Photopolymers as vectorial sensors of the electric field

Abstract

We propose to use radially, azimuthally and circularly polarized Bessel beams as inhomogeneous illuminating system to unambiguously analyze the vectorial optical response of azo-dye polymers. It is shown that the well-known sensitivity of azo-dye molecules to polarization direction gives rise to surface deformations which are proportional to the longitudinal electric-field component. This property opens a large field of applications in the vectorial analysis of light fields, especially for nano-optics/nanophotonics.

Minimizing the Bright/Shadow Focal Spot Size with Controlled Side-Lobe Increase in High-Numerical-Aperture Focusing Systems

“…Note that the contribution of the longitudinal component into the total intensity is comparable with that of the transverse components. It is most essential that this factor should be taken into consideration when dealing with the interaction of light with the media being selectively sensitive to the different electric field components [25].…”

“…In the total intensity, the optimization effect is deteriorated owing to the combined contribution of different components. In this case, the contribution of the undesirable component can be eliminated with the use of materials selectively sensitive to different electric field components [25].…”

Laser collimation for linear colliders

“…where θ is the angle between two plane waves which produce the Bessel mode [6]. As an example, K c (x, y) for the Bessel mode = 1 is shown in Fig.…”

“…For collimation purposes, an azimuthally polarized Bessel beam should be used instead, which has zero longitudinal electric field. Another way to obtain Bessel beam is to use a combination of two incident electric plane waves with an incidence angle θ [6]. The transverse size of the laser beam can be tuned for optimum collimation using a mirror system.…”

Nanomovement of azo polymers induced by metal tip enhanced near-field irradiation

“…1 Far-field induced surface deformation studies show that the deformation patterns reflect the state of the incident light polarization and the light intensity distribution. [2][3][4] Trans↔ cis photoselective isomerization and molecular reorientation play important roles in the deformation process. 5 Light-induced molecular and mass movement in azo polymers, e.g., surface relief gratings, [5][6][7] which are fabricated by the interference pattern of two coherent laser beams, triggered much studies to understand the mechanism of the photoinduced polymer movement and migration.…”