Monochromatic aberrations in resonant optical elements applied to a focusing multilevel reflectarray

Opt Express. 2010 May 24;18(11):10931-40. doi: 10.1364/OE.18.010931.

Abstract

The monochromatic aberrations produced by the phase distribution reflected by resonant sub-wavelength metallic structures are studied both analytically and numerically. Even for normal incidence, the angular dependence of the re-radiated wavefront disturbs the overall performance of the reflectarray. This effect is modelled as combination of a linear and a cubic dependence. A complete numerical simulation of a multilevel focusing reflectarray is performed using computational-electromagnetic and physical-optics-propagation methods. A modified Strehl ratio is defined to show the dependence of the focused spot behavior on aperture. The irradiance distribution is dependent on the polarization state. A small-aperture focusing reflectarray has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The irradiance distribution at the focusing plane is compared with the simulated one, showing a good agreement when residual wavefront aberrations are included.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Artifacts*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Lenses*
  • Light
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Photometry / instrumentation*
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Scattering, Radiation