Field structures and singularities in subwavelength optics

Abstract

A brief overview of the current state of the problem of electromagnetic field singularities arising from the refraction and scattering of light by material objects is given. The discussion begins with caustics arising from ray tracing in geometric optics and consistently moves toward increasing the accuracy of consideration and decreasing the scale, ending with a description of singularities in light scattering by subwavelength particles. Common and distinctive features of various types of singularities, the role of the symmetry of the problem and the law of conservation of energy are revealed. Physical foundations and methods for overcoming the diffraction limit are discussed. The theoretical description is illustrated by experimental examples. Various practical applications of the effects under consideration are indicated.