Longitudinal Field Modes Probed by Single Molecules
Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: We demonstrate that a strong longitudinal, nonpropagating field is generated at the focus of a radially polarized beam mode. This field is localized in space and its energy density exceeds the energy density of the transverse field by more than a factor of 2. Single molecules with fixed absorption dipole moments are used to probe the longitudinal field. Vice versa, it is demonstrated that orientations of single molecules are efficiently mapped out in three dimensions by using a radially polarized beam as the excitation source. We also show that there is no momentum or energy transport associated with the longitudinal field.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Institution: University of Rochester
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1966917553