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

Minimizing the bright/shadow focal spot size for differently polarized incident waves through the additional apodization of the focusing system output pupil by use of an optical element with the vortex phase dependence on angle and the polynomial amplitude dependence on radius is studied. The coefficients of the radial polynomial were optimized with the aim of fulfilling certain conditions such as the energy efficiency preservation and keeping the side lobes under control. The coefficients were chosen so as to minimize the functional using Brent’s method

Generation of Multiple Vector Optical Bottle Beams

We propose binary diffractive optical elements, combining several axicons of different types (axis-symmetrical and spiral), for the generation of a 3D intensity distribution in the form of multiple vector optical ‘bottle’ beams, which can be tailored by a change in the polarization state of the illumination radiation. The spatial dynamics of the obtained intensity distribution with different polarization states (circular and cylindrical of various orders) were investigated in paraxial mode numerically and experimentally. The designed binary axicons were manufactured using the e-beam lithography technique. The proposed combinations of optical elements can be used for the generation of vector optical traps in the field of laser trapping and manipulation, as well as for performing the spatial transformation of the polarization state of laser radiation, which is crucial in the field of laser-matter interaction for the generation of special morphologies of laser-induced periodic surface structures

Roadmap on computational methods in optical imaging and holography [invited] /

Computational methods have been established as cornerstones in optical imaging and holography in recent years. Every year, the dependence of optical imaging and holography on computational methods is increasing significantly to the extent that optical methods and components are being completely and efficiently replaced with computational methods at low cost. This roadmap reviews the current scenario in four major areas namely incoherent digital holography, quantitative phase imaging, imaging through scattering layers, and super-resolution imaging. In addition to registering the perspectives of the modern-day architects of the above research areas, the roadmap also reports some of the latest studies on the topic. Computational codes and pseudocodes are presented for computational methods in a plug-and-play fashion for readers to not only read and understand but also practice the latest algorithms with their data. We believe that this roadmap will be a valuable tool for analyzing the current trends in computational methods to predict and prepare the future of computational methods in optical imaging and holography