High-sensitivity and high-resolution collaborative determination of birefringence coefficient using weak measurement

Abstract

Precise nanofilm birefringence characterization is essential for high-sensitivity polarization response and strong anti-interference detection in photodetectors. We present a high-sensitivity and high-resolution birefringence coefficient determination system for nanometer-level membranes based on weak measurement, addressing the sensitivity–resolution trade-off. A tunable bandwidth light source is exploited to achieve simultaneous and complementary measurements of momentum (P-pointer) and intensity (I-pointer), enabling calibration-free operation across various bandwidths, and to realize high-precision phase difference monitoring of the measured membranes. This method maps the birefringence effect to a weak value amplified signal of spectral shift and light intensity. The optimal resolution, achieved at a spectral width of 6 nm, is 1.12×10−8 RIU, while the optimal sensitivity is achieved when the light source is a narrow-linewidth coherent laser, reaching 4710 mV/RIU. The linear range of the system covers a broad birefringence coefficient range for crystals, from 10−6 to 0.1. Furthermore, the auxiliary optical path eliminates substrate interference, achieving a detection limit of birefringence coefficient as low as 10−8 RIU. This approach, characterized by high precision, high sensitivity, and strong robustness, provides an effective solution for the detection of optical nano-thin membrane parameters.