Abstract
Although unique properties such as creation of nondiffracting beams and as
a result the large focal depth have been exhibited from axicon lenses, and
numerous important applications in optical signal processing and imaging
have been demonstrated, axicons of dimensions smaller than a hundred of
micrometers have not yet been reported. It is technically quite challenging
for the currently available technologies including lithography and
mechanical shaping to define complicated three-dimensional surface profiles
depicted by lens functions in the small scale. Here, we report the solution
of the issue by use of femtosecond laser nanofabrication via two-photon
polymerization of resins. Not only well-defined monolithic micro axicons are
attained, they demonstrate excellent optical characteristics: the
cross-sectional Besselian beam intensity distribution was found almost
unchanged for at least 200$\mu$m within the focal range; imaging remains unblurred and in high
contrast in a much wider range than that for a common lens. The direct laser
nanowriting strategy would allow the lens integrated with other optical
components produced the same way, or incorporated to an existing
micro-optical system.
© 2010 IEEE
PDF Article
More Like This
Cited By
You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.
Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription