@inproceedings{706dd3819f3141ec881ae785956f913d,
title = "Focusing capability of integrated chains of microspheres in the limit of geometrical optics",
abstract = "The effects of periodical focusing of light were studied in chains of sapphire microspheres with 300 μm diameters assembled either on a substrate or inside capillary tubing. Dye-doped fluorescent microspheres were used as multimodal sources of light in experimental studies. Significant reduction of the focused spot sizes was observed for chains of spheres compared to a single sphere case. Numerical ray tracing simulations were performed for similar chains assembled inside hollow waveguides to be used as an optical delivery system with mid-infrared lasers for ultra-precise surgery. The device designs were optimized for contact conditions during laser surgery involving short optical penetration depths of light in tissue. It is shown that chains of spheres with n around 1.65-1.75 provide a two-fold improvement of the spatial resolution over single spheres. Potential applications of these microprobes include ultraprecise laser procedures in the eye and brain or piercing a cell, and coupling of multimodal beams into photonic microstructures.",
keywords = "Focusing, Geometrical optics design, Laser surgery, Medical optics, Microlens, Microoptics, Microspheres, Ophthalmic optics and devices, Optical microprobes",
author = "Arash Darafsheh and Allen, {Kenneth W.} and Amir Fardad and Fried, {Nathaniel M.} and Antoszyk, {Andrew N.} and Ying, {Howard S.} and Astratov, {Vasily N.}",
year = "2011",
doi = "10.1117/12.876139",
language = "English",
isbn = "9780819484505",
series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",
booktitle = "Laser Resonators and Beam Control XIII",
note = "Laser Resonators and Beam Control XIII ; Conference date: 23-01-2011 Through 25-01-2011",
}