title: Connection between phase singularities and the radiation pattern of a slit in a metal plate.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Free University, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hugo F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Schouten
authors.forename: Taco D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gbur
authors.forename: Daan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lenstra
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blok