A new modality for probing ultrafast phenomena that relies on radially or azimuthally polarized probe pulses is presented. First, we describe the principle and then theoretically analyze the signals expected for different types of pump-induced nonlinearities. Last, we experimentally verify the methodology by probing a pump-induced Kerr gate with a time-delayed radially polarized probe pulse. In...

We investigate experimentally the transmission properties of single sub-wavelength coaxial apertures in thin metal films (t = 110 nm). Enhanced transmission through a single sub-wavelength coaxial aperture illuminated with a strongly focused radially polarized light beam is reported. In our experiments we achieved up to four times enhanced transmission through a single coaxial aperture as compa...

We report a radially polarized coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (RP-CARS) microscopy for facilitating longitudinally oriented molecules detection. We observe that under tight focusing of radially polarized pump and Stokes light fields with a high-NA objective, RP-CARS radiation from molecules oriented along the longitudinal direction is approximately threefold stronger than that using line...

We propose a new configuration for a fully metal coated scanning near field (SNOM) probe based on asymmetric corrugations in the metal coating. The variation in the metal surface induces coupling mechanisms leading to the creation of a localized hot spot under linearly polarized excitation. Field localization is an effect of paramount importance for resolution but cannot be achieved with standa...

We experimentally demonstrate the focusing of surface plasmon polaritons by a plasmonic lens illuminated with radially polarized light. The field distribution is characterized by near-field scanning optical microscope. A sharp focal spot corresponding to a zero-order Bessel function is observed. For comparison, the plasmonic lens is also measured with linearly polarized light illumination, resu...

The interaction of a nanoparticle with light is affected by nanoparticle geometry and composition, as well as by focused beam parameters, such as the polarization and numerical aperture of the beam. The interaction of a radially focused beam with a prolate spheroidal nanoparticle is particularly important because it has the potential to produce strong near-field electromagnetic radiation. Stron...