title: Axial field shaping under high-numerical-aperture focusing.
abstract: Kant reported [J. Mod. Optics 47, 905 (2000)] a formulation for solving the inverse problem of vector diffraction, which accurately models high-NA focusing. Here, Kant's formulation is adapted to the method of generalized projections to obtain an algorithm for designing diffractive optical elements (DOEs) that reshape the axial point-spread function (PSF). The algorithm is applied to design a binary phase-only DOE that superresolves the axial PSF with controlled increase in axial sidelobes. An 11-zone DOE is identified that axially narrows the PSF central lobe by 29% while maintaining the sidelobe intensity at or below 52% of the peak intensity. This DOE could improve the resolution achievable in several applications without significantly complicating the optical system.
authors: CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA.
authors: Toufic G
authors: TG
authors: Jabbour
authors: Stephen M
authors: SM
authors: Kuebler
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004867:Equipment Design; D007089:Image Enhancement; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D012542:Scattering, Radiation