Improved model of weak measurement for detecting the photonic spin Hall effect

Weak measurement is an important measurement method in quantum measurement, which has been widely used in detecting the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE). The models of weak measurement for detecting PSHE have been derived in the frame of quantum mechanics. However, the existing models still have some drawbacks. For example, they are not suitable for the case where the reflection interface is composed of absorption medium, or the case when the reflection is in total internal reflection. A new improved model of weak measurement for detecting the PSHE of reflected Gaussian beam is derived in this article. The improved model is not derived in the framework of quantum mechanics, but is derived in the framework of classical optics which is easier to understand. In comparison to the existing models, the new improved model we derived no longer has the above restrictions. It is suitable for both the absorbent and non-absorbent medium interfaces, and is also suitable for both the partial and total internal reflection. Furthermore, the improved model is verified by experiments and the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical results. It is believed that this improved new model will help researchers to study the PSHE more widely and may provide more ways for the precise measurement of physical parameters. In addition, the derivation way based on classical optics theory also provides a new path to establish the quantum weak measurement models.