The unique properties of PILBs make them an attractive choice in several optical metrology applications, including superresolution microscopy. In this paper, we apply novel PILB shapes produced with anamorphic optical systems to optical metrology of sub-wavelength sized phase objects. The anamorphic transformation technique is based on a single propagating laser field, and is therefore simpler to implement than interferometric beam transformations based on superposition of optical fields. We explore the interactions between PILBs and nanoscale phase objects, representative of sub-wavelength lithographic patterns and nano-particles. We observe that the sensitivity of PILBs to phase perturbations is dependent on the beam shape. Analysis of the far field diffraction patterns produced can provide information about the location and shape of the nanoscale phase structures. Results of our study can be applied to high-resolution detection of small phase objects in a variety of fields within optical metrology. |
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CITATIONS
Cited by 2 scholarly publications.
Beam shaping
Laser beam propagation
Beam propagation method
Optical metrology
Adaptive optics
Lithography
Cylindrical lenses