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Adaptive subwavelength control of nano-optical fields

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Aeschlimann

    (Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 46, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany)

  • Michael Bauer

    (Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Universität Kiel, Leibnizstr. 19, 24118 Kiel, Germany)

  • Daniela Bayer

    (Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 46, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany)

  • Tobias Brixner

    (Physikalisches Institut, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany)

  • F. Javier García de Abajo

    (Instituto de Optica-CSIC, Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

  • Walter Pfeiffer

    (Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33516 Bielefeld, Germany)

  • Martin Rohmer

    (Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 46, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany)

  • Christian Spindler

    (Physikalisches Institut, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Felix Steeb

    (Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 46, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany)

Abstract

Small for its size The size of mechanical tools limits their spatial resolution. In the case of a drill, for instance, its diameter determines the size of the smallest hole that it can make, with 1-mm holes from 10-mm drills an obvious impossibility. But in the world of optics, the 'impossible' can happen. Aeschlimann et al. demonstrate a light-based tool that not only 'drills holes' smaller than its own size (its wavelength), but does so in selectable positions that can be changed at the speed of light. The experiment combines adaptive control with nano-optics, to control interactions between light and matter with sub-wavelength resolution and femtosecond timing.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Aeschlimann & Michael Bauer & Daniela Bayer & Tobias Brixner & F. Javier García de Abajo & Walter Pfeiffer & Martin Rohmer & Christian Spindler & Felix Steeb, 2007. "Adaptive subwavelength control of nano-optical fields," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7133), pages 301-304, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:446:y:2007:i:7133:d:10.1038_nature05595
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05595
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