Position measurement of a dipolar scatterer via self-homodyne detection

Abstract

We describe a technique to measure the position of a dipolar scatterer based on self-homodyne detection of the scattered light. The method can theoretically reach the Heisenberg limit, at which information gained about the position is constrained only by the back action of the scattered light. The technique has applications in the fields of levitated optomechanics and trapped ions and is generally applicable to the position determination of confined light scatterers.