Effect of wavefront aberrations on the point spread function at sharp focusing for different types of homogeneous polarization

Khorin P.A., Chernykh A.V., Khonina, S.N.

For Russian citation (Opticheskii Zhurnal):

Хорин П.А., Черных А.В., Хонина С.Н. Влияние аберраций волнового фронта на функцию рассеяния точки при острой фокусировке для различных типов поляризации // Оптический журнал. 2026. Т. 93. № 3. С. 15–23. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-03-15-23

Khorin P.A., Chernykh A.V., Khonina S.N. Effect of wavefront aberrations on the point spread function at sharp focusing for different types of homogeneous polarization [in Russian] // Opticheskii Zhurnal. 2026. V. 93. № 3. P. 15–23. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-03-15-23

For citation (Journal of Optical Technology):

Abstract:

Subject of study. Wavefront aberrations at sharp focusing for different types of homogeneous (linear and circular) polarization. Aim of study. Determination of the influence of sharp focusing of wave aberrations on the size of the focal spot. Method. The influence of wavefront aberrations during tight focusing of laser radiation was simulated using the Debye approximation. The polarization type of the aberrated wavefront was varied in a series of numerical experiments. The objective criteria were the maximum intensity, transverse and longitudinal dimensions, and the degree of asymmetry, depending on the magnitude and type of aberration distortions. Main results. According to research, controlled aberration in some cases helps to reduce the size of the focal spot. Simulations of tight focusing of light fields with homogeneous polarization (linear and circular) have shown that loworder aberrations (meridian index no more than 2) allow the formation of a compact central light spot in one of the electric field components. Higher order aberrations shift energy away from the center of focus, distorting the intensity distribution. Practical significance. The obtained data are relevant for high-precision optics applications, including microscopy, laser processing, and adaptive systems. The results are applicable for optimizing focusing and reducing aberrations in real-world optical setups.

Keywords:

wave aberrations, sharp focusing, homogeneous (linear and circular) polarization

OCIS codes: 050.1970, 260.1960

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