One-dimensional subwavelength position determination exploiting off-axis parabolic mirror

Abstract

We demonstrate a subwavelength position determination method for the terahertz region. Previously, we reported that an off-axis parabolic mirror generates a peculiar transient rotational distribution around the focus on the subwavelength scale. In the method proposed herein, the position is determined by measuring the electric field scattered by a sample placed at this rotational distribution. We perform a realistic numerical calculation and show that this method is feasible for a sample on the wavelength scale and can distinguish a displacement of the order of 0.01 wavelengths. This method can be easily implemented for micro and nanoscale measurement and processing in the terahertz region.