Optimizing the localization precision in coherent scattering microscopy using structured light

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Quantum Metrology

Background:

• Coherent scattering microscopy requires precise localization of small particles.
• Optimizing excitation fields is crucial for enhancing localization precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize focused excitation fields for enhanced localization precision of small scatterers.
• To maintain fixed total incoming excitation field intensity during optimization.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing quantum Fisher information for optimization of excitation fields.
• Analyzing optimal field polarization (linear, circular, radial) based on numerical aperture (NA).
• Evaluating performance in interferometric scattering microscopy (iscat).

Main Results:

• Optimal fields exhibit linear/circular polarization for low NA and radial polarization for high NA.
• High localization precision correlates with high field strengths and increased detected photons.
• Optimized fields demonstrate improved performance in iscat.

Conclusions:

• Quantum Fisher information provides an effective framework for optimizing microscopy excitation fields.
• Field polarization plays a critical role in achieving high localization precision.
• The optimized fields show promise for advanced scattering microscopy techniques like iscat.