Abstract

The thinnest diameter of a light beam propagating in dielectric waveguides is the order of the wavelength as in dielectric λ₀/n (λ₀ is wavelength in free space, n is refractive index) due to the diffraction. This limits the dimensions of integrated optical devices and a spatial resolution of optical measurements. As far as a light beam is three-dimensional (having 3D phase constants in three directions X, y and z), the above limitation in the beam diameter is inevitable. Here, we study theoretically one-dimensional (ID) and two-dimensional (2D) optical waveguides to overcome the diffraction limit. Possible applications are proposed. They are also interesting from the quantum optical viewpoint.

© 1996 Optical Society of America