Enhanced lithographic resolution using longitudinal polarization state of light

Laser direct-writing is an important technique for the fabrication of complex patterns. There is a continuous need for structures with increasingly small features, i.e., enhanced resolution. Focused radially polarized light is known to exhibit a narrow longitudinal polarization component. Here, a proof-of-concept is shown of enhanced resolution through polarization-selectivity by the selective recording of the longitudinal polarization component in a polarization-selective homeotropic and smectic B photoresist. The full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the fabricated spots in the polarization-selective resist is up to 56% smaller compared to the FWHM of the same spot in a photoresist that is not polarization-selective, which supports simulations that predict a theoretical maximum reduction of 62%