Maximum information states for nanoparticles: Optimising wavefronts for precision measurements

Precise measurements of physical parameters through optical scattering is fundamental to various scientific and technological applications. In this thesis, we investigate the optimisation of incident wavefronts to enhance information retrieval from scattered fields. Using Fisher information as a metric, we develop a computational framework to determine Maximum Information States (MIS) for specific scattering setups. Using generalised Lorenz-Mie theory and the T-matrix method, we simulate light scattering from different target geometries and analyse the information content captured by a camera. An optimisation algorithm is used to tailor the spatial distribution of incident beams, maximising measurement precision while adhering to experimental constraints. The methodology is applied to spherical and cylindrical scatterers, demonstrating substantial improvements over conventional beams. These findings contribute to the advancement of precision optical measurements and wavefront shaping techniques.