An apparatus that detects a material within a sample includes signal generation circuitry that generates a first light beam having at least one fractional orbital angular momentum applied thereto and applies the first light beam to the sample. The at least one fractional orbital angular momentum imparts a phase factor to the first light beam. The orbital angular momentum generation circuitry includes a spiral phase plate having fraction step height to impart the at least one angular momentum to the first light beam. A detector receives the first light beam after the first light beam passes through the sample and detects the material responsive to a detection of a predetermined phase factor within the first light beam received from the sample.
