This work describes an implementation of an iterative algorithm to design two-zone binary phase diffractive optical elements (DOEs) which produce a specific irradiance distribution in both the axial and transverse directions under high numerical aperture focusing. The full vector character of a polarized beam is rigorously accounted for using the vector diffraction integrals. The axial and tran verse irradiance distributions are calculated for applications involving multiphoton direct la er writing, specifically, a novel method known as resolution augmentation through photo induced deactivation or, RAPID. In the RAPID method two beams are used, one for excitation and the other for de-excitation. By having both the excitation and de-excitation beams, the resolution achievable using the RAPID method is maximized.

The problem of zero order diffraction (ZOD) in the computer generated hologram (CGH) is a commonly reported issue in employing computer generated hologram (CGH) systems. Failing to remove the zero order diffraction in either far-field or near-field region limits the display region or even worse, can destroy the reconstructed image. Therefore, the elimination of the ZOD is higly desired. The proposed new techniques to suppress the ZOD are the backbone of this thesis. We investigated ZOD sources in two different CGH systems and suggested different methods to remove the ZOD in each system. Two types of spatial light modulator (SLM) were employed for different type of CGHs, including a phase-only SLM and a binary amplitude-only SLM. All the proposed methods were examined with either simulation and experimental tests. For amplitude-only experiments, the ZOD suppression reached a factor of 3. Image quality and diffraction efficiency were also investigated for the proposed methods. / text