Apparatus and Method for Creating a Photonic Densely Accumulated Ray-Point

NASA's Langley Research Center has discovered a new approach to achieving a laser focal point size much smaller than the wavelength of light used, and smaller than that obtained using conventional micro zone plate lenses. The Photonic Densely Accumulated Ray-poinT (DART) technology relies on phase contrast along with interference phenomena, with or without the use of a micro zone plate lens. Coupled with the extremely small spot size, the technology also provides very high laser energy density at the pseudo focal point surrounded by destructive interference, thereby enabling a range of potential useful applications such as laser processing, lithography, nanofabrication, and optical data storage.