Super-Resolution Long-Depth Focusing by Radially Polarized Light Irradiation Through Plasmonic Lens in Optical Meso-field

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel plasmonic lens design consisting of an annular slit and concentric grooves. The simulation results show that under radially polarized illumination, a super-resolution long depth of focus (DOF) spot can be achieved in optical meso-field due to the constructive interference of scattered light by the concentric grooves. We also analyze the influence of depth-tuned annular grooves on focusing performance, including focal length, DOF, and full-width half-maximum. Moreover, focusing efficiency can be enhanced (∼350 %) by introducing a circular metallic grating which surrounds the annular slit. This plasmonic lens has potential applications in nano-imaging and nano-photolithography. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.