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This thesis investigates the interaction of polarized light with matter, aiming to open up new pathways for controlled manipulation of various degrees of freedom of light towards development of next generation photonic techniques. Specifically, we have investigated spin orbit interaction (SOI) of light in hybridized metamaterials for control and manipulation of light at the nanometer length scale, leading to the emergence of unconventional optical phenomena. In this regard, a unique polarization Mueller matrix approach is introduced for quantification and unique interpretation of various spin-orbit photonic effects in complex optical systems. Using the principles of Fourier optical imaging, we then demonstrate a differential imaging technique that encompasses polarization degree of freedom in the framework, enabling simultaneous differential amplitude, phase, and quantitative differential polarization imaging in a single experimental embodiment. We then move on to combine the interference phenomena inherent in Fourier optical imaging with the interferometric philosophy of quantum weak value to introduce a new type of microscopic approach, namely weak measurement microscopy. In this approach, a weak coupling between the spatial frequency (transverse momentum of light) and polarization degree of freedom of light enables concurrent acquisition of position and momentum domain information from the characteristic polarization Stokes vector elements, which may have potential implications towards quantum imaging. Altogether, the novel optical techniques developed in this thesis based on fundamental polarization (spin) optical effects such as spin orbit interaction, geometric phase, weak measurements etc. show considerable promise for diverse applications in nanophotonics, in multifunctional microscopy, in biomedical research, quantum imaging, and beyond.
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