Far-field polarization-based sensitivity to sub-resolution displacements of a sub-resolution scatterer in tightly focused fields

Abstract

We present a system built to perform measurements of scattering-angle-resolved polarization state distributions across the exit pupil of a high numerical aperture collector lens. These distributions contain information about the three-dimensional electromagnetic field that results from the interaction of a tightly focused field and a sub-resolution scatterer. Experimental evidence proving that the system allows for high polarization-dependent sensitivity to sub-resolution displacements of a sub-resolution scatterer is provided together with the corresponding numerical results.

Polarization imaging with enhanced spatial resolution

“…For instance, in [26] the position and orientation of nanostructures are resolved beyond the diffraction limit using the spatial distribution of the azimuth angle and the degree of polarization. Another example is provided in [27], where an instrument measuring scattering-angle-resolved Mueller matrix is described allowing for a high sensitivity to sub-resolution displacements of a sub-resolution scatterer.…”

Generation of highly confined optical bottle beams by exploiting the photonic nanojet effect

“…By combining other inspection and analysis methods, e.g. Raman spectroscopy 21 , interferometry 22 or far-field vectorial polarimetry 23 , the properties of such tiny particles can be investigated while being trapped.…”

The effect of alignment errors in polarimetry of light using liquid-crystal variable retarders

“…The measurement of the polarization (Stokes vector or Mueller matrix) of light is well established [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] . Recently, more use has been made of variable retarders, for example, liquid crystal retarders which have changes of the retardance depending on the voltage applied to the liquid crystal system.…”