Experimental observation of the spin Hall effect of light on a nano-metal film via weak measurements

Abstract: We theorize the spin Hall effect of light (SHEL) on a nano-metal film and demonstrate it experimentally via weak measurements. A general propagation model to describe the relationship between the spin-orbit coupling and the thickness of the metal film is established. It is revealed that the spin-orbit coupling in the SHEL can be effectively modulated by adjusting the thickness of the metal film, and the transverse displacement is sensitive to the thickness of metal film in certain range for horizontal polarization light. Importantly, a large negative transverse shift can be observed as a consequence of the combined contribution of the ratio and the phase difference of Fresnel coefficients.