Whispering gallery modes and other cavity modes for perfect backscattering and blazing.

We demonstrate the possibility to obtain perfect blazing both in Littrow and off-Littrow mountings using diffractive systems consisting of a plane metallic substrate and dielectric structures that can support cavity modes. The resonances are located at a relatively large distance between the metal and the dielectric structure, a condition that prevents the resonance increase of absorption. The high efficiency can be obtained in transverse electric or transverse magnetic polarization and at high incident angles. When cylindrical rods with circular cross-sections are used, the so-called whispering gallery modes can be used to provide the resonances, necessary for the blazing. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America