Manipulating spatial light fields for micro- and nano-photonics

Spatial properties of a light field, including its amplitude, polarization and phase distribution, can be modulated via spatial light modulators, digital mirror devices, optical mask, waveplates or diffraction optic elements. In conjunction with additional optical components, e.g., optical lenses or imaging systems, rich micro- and nano-photonic applications can be demonstrated. This paper reviews various useful techniques applied for the spatial light field modulations. Important applications, most notably, optical lithography for the fabrication of functional photonic crystals, and light field conversion and transmission through material system, are discussed. Key issues in the control of optical field, including phase-locking, phase distribution regulation and adaptive optical field synthesizing, are described in detail. The applications of light field modulation to enhance light-matter interaction are demonstrated for some fundamental optical processes, such as light diffraction in liquid crystal, beam combining in nonlinear optical crystal and light field transmission through a tapered nano-tip. It is anticipated that the wide-spread application of light field modulation be expected in the near future, especially in view of a rapid advancement in the nano-photonic research and applications.