Image Processing Systems Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Samara State Aerospace University, Samara Kotlyar Viktor V., Doctor of Science in Physics and Mathematics, professor. <...> Image Processing Systems Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Samara State Aerospace University, Samara Khonina Svetlana N., Doctor of Science in Physics and Mathematics, professor, Image Processing Systems Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Samara State Aerospace University, Samara. <...> Email: khonina@smr.ru Abstract: We discuss particular realizations of optical elements and devices that enable one to break the diffraction limit. <...> A planar binary photonic crystal lens, a zone plate and a binary spiral microaxicon are considered as examples of microoptics devices for subwavelength focusing of laser light. <...> Index terms: Microoptics, diffraction limit, subwavelength focusing, photonic crystal lens, zone plate, spiral microaxicon The diffraction phenomenon, which was previously considered as a restrictive factor in optics, has currently become a fundamental basis for creating novel optical components and advanced information technologies. <...> Since the 19th century, the diffraction limit (DL), which can be defined as fullwidth halfmaximum of the Airy disk size [1], was considered to be unbreakable in optics: Dmin=0.51λ/NA, where λ is incident wavelength, NA=nsinθ is the numerical aperture, n is the refractive index of medium, and θ is onehalf the maximal convergence angle at focus. <...> For instance, with use of an annular aperture or radially polarized light [2] it becomes possible to break the DL through enhancing the depth of focus and decreasing the energy efficiency. <...> In this case, the focal spot size is equal to the Bessel beam’s diameter of 0.36λ/NA. <...> Using diffractive optical elements, the light energy can be redistributed to a side lobe, forming a bright ring around the focus. <...> In this way, by decreasing the energy coming to the focal spot its size can be made smaller than the DL. <...> By focusing light near the material boundary with use of gradientindex or diffractive optics, it becomes possible not only to attain the ntimes higher resolution (based on solidstate immersion [4]) but also to break the DL due to constructive interference of the surface waves. <...> In this study, we <...>