3D Source Localization and Polarimetry using High Numerical Aperture Imaging with Rotating PSF

TL;DR

This paper analyzes a rotating-PSF imaging technique that uses high numerical aperture optics to simultaneously localize point sources in 3D and determine their polarization state, enhancing imaging capabilities.

Contribution

It provides a full vector-field analysis of the rotating-PSF imager, revealing polarization-dependent effects at high numerical apertures for joint localization and polarimetry.

Findings

Wave-polarization affects the PSF at high NA

Method enables 3D localization and polarization sensing

Potential for improved imaging in complex fields

Abstract

Rotating-PSF imaging via spiral phase engineering can localize point sources over large focal depths in a snapshot mode. This letter presents a full vector-field analysis of the rotating-PSF imager that quantifies the PSF signature of the polarization state of the imaging light. For sufficiently high image-space numerical apertures, there can be significant wave-polarization dependent contributions to the overall PSF, which would allow one to jointly localize and sense the polarization state of light emitted by point sources in a 3D field.