Generating a hexagonal lattice wave-field with a gradient basis structure

TL;DR

This paper introduces a single-step optical method to generate a gradient hexagonal lattice wave-field by superposing multiple wave-fields with controllable basis structures, enabling scalable micro-fabrication.

Contribution

A novel, wavelength-independent approach for creating gradient hexagonal lattice wave-fields using phase-only SLMs in an optical setup.

Findings

Successful experimental realization of gradient lattice

Method is scalable and wavelength independent

Enables precise control of local basis structures

Abstract

We present a new, single step approach for generating a hexagonal lattice wave-field with a gradient local basis structure. We incorporate this by coherently superposing two (or more) hexagonal lattice wave-fields which differ in their basis structures. The basis of the resultant lattice wave-field is highly dependent on the relative strengths of constituent wave-fields and a desired spatial modulation of basis structure is thus obtained by controlling the spatial modulation of relative strengths of constituent wave-fields. The experimental realization of gradient lattice is achieved by using a phase only spatial light modulator (SLM) in an optical 4f Fourier filter setup where the SLM is displayed with numerically calculated gradient phase mask. The presented method is wavelength independent and is completely scalable making it very promising for micro-fabrication of corresponding structures.