Abstract
The diffraction-limited spot size limits the optical disk storage capacity and microscopic resolution. We describe a technique to shape a focused Gaussian beam into a superresolving beam by using a diffractive optical element fabricated by laser-assisted chemical etching. The focused shaped beam has a smaller width and a longer depth of focus than a similarly focused Gaussian beam. Using the diffraction-limited shaped beam along with threshold writing, we achieved a written pit size of less than 0.33 μm at a 695-nm laser wavelength, compared with a 0.7-μm focused Gaussian spot size (full width at e-2 of the peak) with the same focusing lens. The energy conversion efficiency for the beam shaping was ∼81%.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2171-2176 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Applied Optics |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 10 1999 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering