Three-dimensional focus engineering using dipole array radiation pattern

A systematic three-dimensional focus engineering method based on the dipole-array radiation pattern is proposed. High numerical aperture focusing of generalized cylindrical vector beam is interpreted as the reversing of the radiation from electrically small dipole arrays. Required pupil plane illumination can be found for the desired focal field with specific characteristics. Magnetic-dipole array radiation is utilized to create ultra-long (~ 8λ) diffraction limited three-dimensional optical tube with maximal uniformity. Combined with a recently reported optical needle field generation with the help of electric dipole array radiation, ultra-long (~ 8λ) three-dimensional flattop focus that has top hat profiles in both transversal and longitudinal directions can be realized with the help of radiations pattern from co-located magnetic and electric dipole arrays.

Research Highlights
► We demonstrate a systematic 3D focus engineering method with dipole-array radiation.
► Ultra-long diffraction limited optical tube with maximal uniformity is generated.
► The creation of ultra-long 3D flattop focus is also shown as an illustration.