Generation and detection of a tightly focused uniform optical bubble based on single-beam vector field modulation

Zheng Zecan; Wang Sicong; Feng Jiahao; Zhou Zhikai; Chen Shukang; Song Shichao; Deng Zilan; Qin Fei; Cao Yaoyu; Li Xiangping

doi:10.12086/oee.2025.250052

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Zheng Z C, Wang S C, Feng J H, et al. Generation and detection of a tightly focused uniform optical bubble based on single-beam vector field modulation[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2025, 52(5): 250052. doi: 10.12086/oee.2025.250052

Citation:

Zheng Z C, Wang S C, Feng J H, et al. Generation and detection of a tightly focused uniform optical bubble based on single-beam vector field modulation[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2025, 52(5): 250052. doi: 10.12086/oee.2025.250052

Generation and detection of a tightly focused uniform optical bubble based on single-beam vector field modulation

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, College of Physics & Optoelectronic Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China

Fund Project: National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFF0718101), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (62375109, 62475102, 62275108)

More Information

^*Corresponding author: wangsc@jnu.edn.cn
CSTR: 32245.14.oee.2025.250052

Received Date 24 February 2025

Revised Date 29 April 2025

Accepted Date 30 April 2025

Available Online 27 May 2025

Published Date 30 May 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Optical bubble, characterized by a tightly focused three-dimensional dark-field intensity distribution, exhibits significant application value in fields such as optical manipulation and laser processing. In previously reported results, an optical bubble is typically generated through multi-beam interference and superposition, which involves complex optical setups and is not conducive to system integration and practical applications, and has low energy utilization efficiency. In this study, we utilize single-beam vector field modulation technology to generate a tightly focused optical bubble with high intensity uniformity. Furthermore, we achieve the detection of this hollow bubble through polarization conversion of the probe light. By adjusting the energy ratio between azimuthally polarized incident beam and radially polarized incident beam modulated by a 0/π binary phase, we experimentally realize an optical bubble with an edge-to-center dark spot intensity ratio exceeding 10:1 and edge intensity uniformity approaching 90%. This work provides a feasible technical approach for applications in dual-beam super-resolution laser processing, optical data storage, and particle manipulation.
- vector light field modulation /
- three-dimensional optical bubble /
- longitudinal polarization component detection

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References

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Overview

Overview

Optical bubble, characterized by a tightly focused three-dimensional dark-field spot distribution, exhibits significant application values in fields such as optical manipulation and laser processing. Since 2000, research on the focused field distribution of optical bubbles has gradually gained attention. Arlt et al. generated an optical bubble in the focal region through the coherent superposition of two different Laguerre-Gaussian beam modes. Zhan et al. produced a tightly focused optical bubble using cylindrical vector beams combined with binary diffractive optical elements. Kozawa et al. achieved an optical bubble via coherent superposition of double annular radially polarized beams. However, the poor intensity uniformity at the edges of these generated bubbles limits their practical applicability. Bokor et al. utilized a Laguerre-Gaussian radially polarized beam for 4π focusing, generating an optical bubble with high intensity uniformity in the focal region. However, the counter-propagating focusing scheme in 4π focusing requires extremely high experimental alignment precision, making it challenging to implement in practice. Subsequently, this research group achieved the generation of an optical bubble with high intensity uniformity under conventional unidirectional focusing conditions by adjusting the energy ratio between an azimuthally polarized incident beam and a radially polarized incident beam modulated by a 0/π binary phase. Nevertheless, current experimental realizations of optical bubbles rely on multi-beam synthesis, which imposes stringent requirements on the experimental setup, particularly the multi-pulse beam synthesis system.

To address this issue, we utilize single-beam vector field modulation technology to generate an optical bubble with high intensity uniformity in a simplified experimental system. Furthermore, polarization conversion of the probe light enables the detection of individual polarization components within the focused field, facilitating the reconstruction of the three-dimensional morphology distribution of the optical bubble. By optimizing the energy ratio between the azimuthally polarized incident beam and the radially polarized incident beam modulated by a 0/π binary phase, we experimentally demonstrate an optical bubble with an edge-to-center dark spot intensity ratio exceeding 10:1 and edge intensity uniformity approaching 90%. Highly uniform optical bubble significantly enhances particle manipulation by enabling precise trapping of particles, thereby improving experimental controllability and repeatability. In terms of processing accuracy, it mitigates issues such as non-uniform machining depth and edge burrs, ultimately increasing production yield in material processing applications. Compared to traditional multi-beam synthesis methods, this technology markedly reduces system complexity while doubling optical energy utilization efficiency, providing a more practical technical approach for applications in dual-beam super-resolution laser processing, optical data storage, and particle manipulation.