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Connection between phase singularities and the radiation pattern of a slit in a metal plate
Hugo F Schouten1, Taco D Visser, Greg Gbur
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Free University, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
We report a new fundamental relation between the minima of the far-zone radiation pattern of a narrow slit in a metal plate and the location of phase singularities in the intermediate field. If a system parameter such as the wavelength is changed, a previously unappreciated singular optics phenomenon occurs: namely, the transition of a near-zone phase singularity into a singularity of the radiation pattern. Our results have significance for the design of novel nanoscale light sources and antennas.
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