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Wavelength-scale errors in optical localization due to spin-orbit coupling of light
G Araneda1, S Walser2, Y Colombe1
1Institut für Experimentalphysik, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Nature Physics
|March 12, 2019
Summary
Spin-orbit coupling in light emission causes wavelength-scale position errors for point emitters. This finding impacts optical imaging and quantum system localization, revealing unexpected shifts in measured positions.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- Far-field optical imaging determines emitter positions, with precision limited by wavelength.
- Accurate emitter localization is crucial for quantum system manipulation and measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate wavelength-scale position errors in optical imaging caused by spin-orbit coupling.
- To demonstrate the impact of light's spin-orbit coupling on emitter localization accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Imaging a single trapped atom and a sub-wavelength gold nanoparticle.
- Analyzing position estimation errors arising from elliptically polarized emission.
Main Results:
- Spin-orbit coupling of light induces systematic, wavelength-scale errors in emitter position estimation.
- Observed shifts between measured and actual positions are comparable to the optical wavelength.
- Position shifts can become arbitrarily large under specific experimental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Elliptically polarized emission can lead to significant, unexpected position errors in optical imaging.
- Findings are relevant for optical localization and potentially for wave-based object localization using orbital angular momentum.
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