Fast vectorial calculation of the volumetric focused field distribution by using a three-dimensional Fourier transform

• Published in: Optics express Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 1060 - 1069
• Main Authors: Lin, J, Rodríguez-Herrera, O G, Kenny, F, Lara, D, Dainty, J C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 16-01-2012
• Subjects: Electromagnetic Fields; Fourier Analysis; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - standards; Light; Models, Theoretical; Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; Optics and Photonics - methods; Optics and Photonics - standards; Refractometry - methods; Refractometry - standards
• ISSN: 1094-4087; 1094-4087
• DOI: 10.1364/OE.20.001060

We show that the volumetric field distribution in the focal region of a high numerical aperture focusing system can be efficiently calculated with a three-dimensional Fourier transform. In addition to focusing in a single medium, the method is able to calculate the more complex case of focusing through a planar interface between two media of mismatched refractive indices. The use of the chirp z-transform in our numerical implementation of the method allows us to perform fast calculations of the three-dimensional focused field distribution with good accuracy.