Position and orientation estimation of fixed dipole emitters using an effective Hermite point spread function model

We introduce a method for determining the position and orientation of fixed dipole emitters based on a combination of polarimetry and spot shape detection. A key element is an effective Point Spread Function model based on Hermite functions. The model offers a good description of the shape variations with dipole orientation and polarization detection channel, and provides computational advantages over the exact vectorial description of dipole image formation. The realized localization uncertainty is comparable to the free dipole case in which spots are rotationally symmetric and can be well modeled with a Gaussian. This result holds for all dipole orientations, for all practical signal levels, and for defocus values within the depth of focus, implying that the massive localization bias for defocused emitters with tilted dipole axis found with Gaussian spot fitting is eliminated. (c) 2012 Optical Society of America