Single-shot measurement of the spin Hall effect of light via polarization-resolved imaging

Abstract

Weak measurement is a highly sensitive method for amplifying and precisely detecting the nanoscale spin Hall shift of light. However, conventional weak measurement is limited by its multistep procedure, in which extracting the absolute beam displacement requires additional measurements at varying postselection angles. This sequential process introduces measurement delays and impedes the real-time monitoring of dynamically fluctuating targets. In this study, we propose a single-shot measurement of the spin Hall effect of light by combining the weak amplification concept and polarization-resolved imaging. By acquiring four polarization-resolved intensity channels in a single exposure, our method allows reconstruction of the output intensity distribution at an arbitrary postselection angle without involving any physical component rotation. We validate this method by measuring the beam reflected at a dielectric interface, demonstrating its accuracy and robustness even under conditions of dynamic beam drift. This polarization-resolved imaging approach inherently cancels out absolute position fluctuations, offering a practical and reliable platform for the real-time monitoring of dynamic optical phenomena. © 2026 Author(s).