Design of cubic-phase optical elements using subwavelength microstructures.

We describe a design methodology for synthesizing cubic-phase optical elements using two-dimensional subwavelength microstructures. We combined a numerical and experimental approach to demonstrate that by spatially varying the geometric properties of binary subwavelength gratings it is possible to produce a diffractive element with a cubic-phase profile. A test element was designed and fabricated for operation in the LWIR, approximately lambda=10.6 microm. Experimental results verify the cubic-phase nature of the element.