Imaging of sub-wavelength structures radiating coherently near microspheres

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4941030· OSTI ID:22489386

Maslov, Alexey V., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[1]; Astratov, Vasily N., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[2]

---

1. University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603950 (Russian Federation)
2. Department of Physics and Optical Science, Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001 (United States)

Using a two-dimensional model, we show that the optical images of a sub-wavelength object depend strongly on the excitation of its electromagnetic modes. There exist modes that enable the resolution of the object features smaller than the classical diffraction limit, in particular, due to the destructive interference. We propose to use such modes for super-resolution of resonant structures such as coupled cavities, metal dimers, or bowties. A dielectric microsphere in contact with the object forms its magnified image in a wide range of the virtual image plane positions. It is also suggested that the resonances may significantly affect the resolution quantification in recent experimental studies.

• OSTI ID: 22489386
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 108, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
DIFFRACTION
DIMERS
EXCITATION
IMAGES
INTERFERENCE
METALS
MICROSPHERES
RESOLUTION
RESONANCE
WAVELENGTHS