Informational limits in optical polarimetry and vectorial imaging
Author(s)
Foreman, Matthew Roy
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Light has provided the means to learn and gather information about the physical
world throughout history. In a world where science moves to smaller scales and more
specialised problems however, the boundaries of current technology are continually
challenged, motivating the search for more sophisticated systems providing greater
information content, sensitivity and increased dimensionality. Utilising the vectorial
nature of light presents a promising avenue by which to meet these growing
requirements. Polarisation can, for example, be used to transmit information, or
alternatively, changes in polarisation induced by an object allow study of previously
neglected material properties, such as birefringence and diattenuation.
Central to this thesis is thus the characterisation and exploitation of the opportunities
afforded by the electromagnetic (i.e. vectorial) nature of light. To this end
the work follows three running themes: quantification of polarisation information;
formulation of simple propagation tools for electromagnetic waves; and development
of specific polarisation based optical systems.
Characterising the informational limits inherent to polarisation based systems
reduces to considering the uncertainty present in any observations. Uncertainty
can, for example, arise from stochastic variation in the polarisation state being
measured, or from random noise perturbations upon detection. Both factors are
considered and quantified here.
Development of vectorial optical systems does, however, pose significant difficulties
in modelling, due to mathematical complexity and computational requirements.
A number of new tools are hence developed, as prove applicable to a wide variety
of applications. Examples are naturally given.
To illustrate the potential of polarisation based systems, specific current topics
are discussed; namely the growing demand for data storage, and single molecule
studies. It will be shown that polarisation, can not only be used to multiplex
information in data pits on optical media, but also to allow full 3D study of single
molecules. Factors pertinent to such studies are studied in detail.
world throughout history. In a world where science moves to smaller scales and more
specialised problems however, the boundaries of current technology are continually
challenged, motivating the search for more sophisticated systems providing greater
information content, sensitivity and increased dimensionality. Utilising the vectorial
nature of light presents a promising avenue by which to meet these growing
requirements. Polarisation can, for example, be used to transmit information, or
alternatively, changes in polarisation induced by an object allow study of previously
neglected material properties, such as birefringence and diattenuation.
Central to this thesis is thus the characterisation and exploitation of the opportunities
afforded by the electromagnetic (i.e. vectorial) nature of light. To this end
the work follows three running themes: quantification of polarisation information;
formulation of simple propagation tools for electromagnetic waves; and development
of specific polarisation based optical systems.
Characterising the informational limits inherent to polarisation based systems
reduces to considering the uncertainty present in any observations. Uncertainty
can, for example, arise from stochastic variation in the polarisation state being
measured, or from random noise perturbations upon detection. Both factors are
considered and quantified here.
Development of vectorial optical systems does, however, pose significant difficulties
in modelling, due to mathematical complexity and computational requirements.
A number of new tools are hence developed, as prove applicable to a wide variety
of applications. Examples are naturally given.
To illustrate the potential of polarisation based systems, specific current topics
are discussed; namely the growing demand for data storage, and single molecule
studies. It will be shown that polarisation, can not only be used to multiplex
information in data pits on optical media, but also to allow full 3D study of single
molecules. Factors pertinent to such studies are studied in detail.
Date Issued
2010-05
Date Awarded
2010-07
Copyright Statement
Attribution NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-ND)
Advisor
Torok, Peter
Sponsor
EPSRC, Royal Academy of Engineering, Institute of Physics, Imperial Trust
Creator
Foreman, Matthew Roy
Publisher Department
Physics
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)