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Focusing characteristics of a planar solid-immersion mirror
Chubing Peng1, Christophe Mihalcea, Kalman Pelhos
1Seagate Technology, 1251 Waterfront Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, USA. Chubing.Peng@Seagate.com
Applied Optics
|April 1, 2006
Summary
This study investigates a parabolic planar waveguide solid-immersion mirror for efficient light focusing. The device achieves a sub-wavelength spot size and diffraction-limited focus with minimal chromatic aberration.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Waveguide Technology
- Nanophotonics
Background:
- Integrated optical devices require efficient light manipulation.
- Solid-immersion mirrors offer sub-wavelength focusing capabilities.
- Waveguide-integrated optics demand compact and precise focusing elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the focusing characteristics of a planar waveguide solid-immersion mirror with a parabolic design.
- To assess the performance of this integrated optical component for light manipulation.
- To analyze the optical properties, including spot size and polarization, at the focal region.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of optical-quality tantala silica planar waveguides via evaporation.
- Integration of a parabolic solid-immersion mirror within the waveguide structure.
- Characterization of light focusing using optical measurements and polarization analysis.
Main Results:
- The parabolic mirror reflects over 50% of the incident waveguide mode.
- A diffraction-limited focus is generated by the parabolic sidewall.
- The measured spot size is less than one-third of the wavelength.
- Near the focal region, the electric field exhibits both parallel and normal components relative to the incident polarization.
- The device demonstrates minimal chromatic aberration and requires precise beam alignment.
Conclusions:
- The planar waveguide solid-immersion mirror with parabolic design is an effective component for achieving sub-wavelength light focusing.
- The integrated device offers high reflectivity and generates a high-quality focus.
- Its minimal chromatic aberration and precise focusing capabilities make it suitable for advanced optical applications.
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