[en] Quantitative analysis can play a vital role in a number of polarization-based optical systems, yet to date no definition regarding resolution in the polarization domain exists. By adopting a stochastic framework, a suitable metric is developed in this article, allowing a number of polarimetric systems to be assessed and compared. In so doing, the performance dependencies of polarization-based systems are demonstrated and fundamental trends are identified.

[en] In this work we establish universal ensemble independent bounds on the mean and variance of the mutual information and channel capacity for imaging through a complex medium. Both upper and lower bounds are derived and are solely dependent on the mean transmittance of the medium and the number of degrees of freedom N. In the asymptotic limit of large N, upper bounds on the channel capacity are shown to be well approximated by that of a bimodal channel with independent identically Bernoulli distributed transmission eigenvalues. Reflection based imaging modalities are also considered and permitted regions in the transmission-reflection information plane defined. Numerical examples drawn from the circular and DMPK random matrix ensembles are used to illustrate the validity of the derived bounds. Finally, although the mutual information and channel capacity are shown to be non-linear statistics of the transmission eigenvalues, the existence of central limit theorems is demonstrated and discussed. (paper)

[en] Rigorous, closed form expressions are derived for non-paraxial imaging of sources of multipole radiation from which conservation of angular momentum (AM) flux is established. Coupling of spin and orbital optical AM flux is also quantitatively investigated, highlighting the importance of spin-orbit interactions in high numerical aperture imaging.

[en] Directionality inherent in the polarization of light affords the means of performing robust dynamic orientational measurements of molecules and asymmetric scatterers. In this paper, the precision with which measurements of this kind can be made is quantified for a number of common polarization-based measurement architectures using a metric derived from Fisher information. Specifically, a fundamental limit of 0.5 radian per detected photon (on average) is found, thus highlighting the importance of maximizing photon numbers by correct fluorophore selection. Informational dips, whereby measurement precision is degraded, are shown to arise in many realistic measurement scenarios, particularly for inference from null readings. The severity of these precision losses is therefore considered, and it is shown to decrease with increased system redundancy. Contamination of measured data from coherently and incoherently radiating extraneous sources, furthermore, causes a loss of precision. Analytic and numerical results are hence also presented in this vein.

[en] Plasmonic metasurfaces enable simultaneous control of the phase, momentum, amplitude and polarization of light and hence promise great utility in realization of compact photonic devices. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel chip-scale device suitable for simultaneous polarization and spectral measurements through use of six integrated plasmonic metasurfaces (IPMs), which diffract light with a given polarization state and spectral component into well-defined spatial domains. Full calibration and characterization of our device is presented, whereby good spectral resolution and polarization accuracy over a wavelength range of 500–700 nm is shown. Functionality of our device in a Müller matrix modality is demonstrated through determination of the polarization properties of a commercially available variable waveplate. Our proposed IPM is robust, compact and can be fabricated with a single photolithography step, promising many applications in polarization imaging, quantum communication and quantitative sensing. (paper)

[en] A significant number of areal surface topography measuring instruments, largely based on optical techniques, are commercially available. However, implementation of optical instrumentation into production is currently difficult due to the lack of understanding of the complex interaction between the light and the component surface. Studying the optical transfer function of the instrument can help address this issue. Here a review is given of techniques for the measurement of optical transfer functions. Starting from the basis of a spatially coherent, monochromatic confocal scanning imaging system, the theory of optical transfer functions in three-dimensional (3D) imaging is presented. Further generalizations are reviewed allowing the extension of the theory to the description of conventional and interferometric 3D imaging systems. Polychromatic transfer functions and surface topography measurements are also discussed. Following presentation of theoretical results, experimental methods to measure the optical transfer function of each class of system are presented, with a focus on suitable methods for the establishment of calibration standards in 3D imaging and surface topography measurements. (topical review)