It is demonstrated that polymer nanocylinders can form spiral light structures. Spiral distributions of light intensity are
observed at distances of 230–1100 nm above the nanocylinder with a diameter of 700 nm and a height of 1100 nm. The optical
spirals are measured using a scanning near-field optical microscope that performs 3D scanning over planes when the nanocylinder
is illuminated from the bottom with linearly polarized CW He-Ne-laser radiation at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. It is shown that
the topology of the optical spirals significantly depends on the incident polarization.
PACS numbers 42.25.Fx - 07.79.Fc - 42.70.Jk - 81.16.Nd
Original Text © Astro, Ltd., 2008.