arXiv subjects

Ad Lagendijk

Publications and source records attributed to Ad Lagendijk.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Non-Rayleigh distribution of reflected intensity from photonic crystals with disorder

Structural disorder results in multiple scattering in real photonic crystals, which have been widely used for applications and studied for fundamental interests. The interaction of light with such complex photonic media is expected to show interplay between disorder and order. For a completely disordered medium, the intensity statistics is well-known to obey Rayleigh statistics with a negative exponential distribution function, corresponding to absence of correlations. Intensity statistics is unexplored however for complex media with both order and disorder. We study experimentally the intensity statistics of light reflected from photonic crystals with various degree of disorder. We observe deviations from the Rayleigh distribution and the deviations increase with increasing long-range order.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Energy density distribution of shaped waves inside scattering media mapped onto a complete set of diffusion modes

We show that the spatial distribution of the energy density of optimally shaped waves inside a scattering medium can be described by considering only a few of the lowest eigenfunctions of the diffusion equation. Taking into account only the fundamental eigenfunction, the total internal energy inside the sample is underestimated by only 2%. The spatial distribution of the shaped energy density is very similar to the fundamental eigenfunction, up to a cosine distance of about 0.01. We obtained the energy density inside a quasi-1D disordered waveguide by numerical calculation of the joined scattering matrix. Computing the transmission-averaged energy density over all transmission channels yields the ensemble averaged energy density of shaped waves. From the averaged energy density obtained, we reconstruct its spatial distribution using the eigenfunctions of the diffusion equation. The results from our study have exciting applications in controlled biomedical imaging, efficient light harvesting in solar cells, enhanced energy conversion in solid-state lighting, and low threshold random lasers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Optical transmission matrix as a probe of the photonic interaction strength

We demonstrate that optical transmission matrices (TM) of disordered complex media provide a powerful tool to extract the photonic interaction strength, independent of surface effects. We measure TM of strongly scattering GaP nanowires and plot the singular value density of the measured matrices and a random matrix model. By varying the free parameters of the model, the transport mean free path and effective refractive index, we retrieve the photonic interaction strength. From numerical simulations we conclude that TM statistics is hardly sensitive to surface effects, in contrast to enhanced backscattering or total transmission based methods.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Selective coupling of optical energy into the fundamental diffusion mode of a scattering medium

We demonstrate experimentally that optical wavefront shaping selectively couples light into the fundamental diffusion mode of a scattering medium. The total energy density inside a scattering medium of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was probed by measuring the emitted fluorescent power of spheres that were randomly positioned inside the medium. The fluorescent power of an optimized incident wave front is observed to be enhanced compared to a non-optimized incident front. The observed enhancement increases with sample thickness. Based on diffusion theory, we derive a model wherein the distribution of energy density of wavefront-shaped light is described by the fundamental diffusion mode. The agreement between our model and the data is striking not in the least since there are no adjustable parameters. Enhanced total energy density is crucial to increase the efficiency of white LEDs, solar cells, and of random lasers, as well as to realize controlled illumination in biomedical optics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Light propagation and emission in complex photonic media

We provide an introduction to complex photonic media, that is, composite materials with spatial inhomogeneities that are distributed over length scales comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of light. This blossoming field is firmly rooted in condensed matter physics, in optics, and in materials science. Many stimulating analogies exist with other wave phenomena such as sound and seismology, X-rays, neutrons. The field has a rich history, which has led to many applications in lighting, novel lasers, light harvesting, microscopy, and bio optics. We provide a brief overview of complex photonic media with different classes of spatial order, varying from completely random to long-periodically ordered structures, quasi crystalline and aperiodic structures, and arrays of cavities. In addition to shaping optical waves by suitable photonic nanostructures, the realization is quickly arising that the spatial shaping of optical wavefronts with spatial light modulators dramatically increases the number of control parameters. As a result, it is becoming possible for instance to literally see through completely opaque complex media. We discuss a unified view of complex photonic media by means of a photonic interaction strength parameter. This parameter gauges the interaction of light with any complex photonic medium, and allows to compare complex media from different classes for similar applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Exploiting speckle correlations to improve the resolution of wide-field fluorescence microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy is indispensable in nanoscience and biological sciences. The versatility of labeling target structures with fluorescent dyes permits to visualize structure and function at a subcellular resolution with a wide field of view. Due to the diffraction limit, conventional optical microscopes are limited to resolving structures larger than 200 nm. The resolution can be enhanced by near-field and far-field super-resolution microscopy methods. Near-field methods typically have a limited field of view and far-field methods are limited by the involved conventional optics. Here, we introduce a combined high-resolution and wide-field fluorescence microscopy method that improves the resolution of a conventional optical microscope by exploiting correlations in speckle illumination through a randomly scattering high-index medium: Speckle correlation resolution enhancement (SCORE). As a test, we collect two-dimensional fluorescence images of 100-nm diameter dye-doped nanospheres. We demonstrate a deconvolved resolution of 130 nm with a field of view of 10 x 10 $\text{μm}^2$.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Observation of Intensity Statistics of Light Transmitted Through 3D Random Media

We experimentally observe the spatial intensity statistics of light transmitted through three-dimensional isotropic scattering media. The intensity distributions measured through layers consisting of zinc oxide nanoparticles differ significantly from the usual Rayleigh statistics associated with speckle, and instead are in agreement with the predictions of mesoscopic transport theory, taking into account the known material parameters of the samples. Consistent with the measured spatial intensity fluctuations, the total transmission fluctuates. The magnitude of the fluctuations in the total transmission is smaller than expected on the basis of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) transport theory, which indicates that quasi-1D theories cannot fully describe these open three-dimensional media.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2013

Local density of optical states in the band gap of a finite photonic crystal

We study the local density of states (LDOS) in a finite photonic crystal, in particular in the frequency range of the band gap. We propose a new point of view on the band gap, which we consider to be the result of vacuum fluctuations in free space that tunnel in the forbidden range in the crystal. As a result, we arrive at a model for the LDOS that is in two major items modified compared to the well-known expression for infinite crystals. Firstly, we modify the Dirac delta functions to become Lorentzians with a width set by the crystal size. Secondly, building on characterization of the fields versus frequency and position we calculated the fields in the band gap. We start from the fields at the band edges, interpolated in space and position, and incorporating the exponential damping in the band gap. We compare our proposed model to exact calculations in one dimension using the transfer matrix method and find very good agreement. Notably, we find that in finite crystals, the LDOS depends on frequency, on position, and on crystal size, in stark contrast to the well-known results for infinite crystals.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Probing the dynamics of Anderson localization through spatial mapping

We study (1+1)D transverse localization of electromagnetic radiation at microwave frequencies directly by two-dimensional spatial scans. Since the longitudinal direction can be mapped onto time, our experiments provide unique snapshots of the build-up of localized waves. The evolution of the wave functions is compared with numerical calculations. Dissipation is shown to have no effect on the occurrence of transverse localization. Oscillations of the wave functions are observed in space and explained in terms of a beating between the eigenstates.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2011

Nanophotonic control of Forster Resonance Energy Transfer

Here we report on the experimental details of a study on the influence of the photonic environment on the emission of a FRET system. We modified the local density of optical states (LDOS) by placing the FRET system at precisely defined distances to a metallic mirror. We measured the energy donor lifetime in the presence of the FRET acceptor and the lifetime of an identical sample lacking an acceptor fluorophore for different LDOS. From the lifetimes we determined the FRET rate as well as the FRET efficiency for each sampled LDOS.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2011

Angle-dependence of the frequency correlation in random photonic media: the diffusive regime and its breakdown near localization

The frequency correlations of light in complex photonic media are of interest as a tool for characterizing the dynamical aspects of light diffusion. We demonstrate here that the frequency correlation shows a pronounced angle dependence both in transmission and in reflection geometries. Using a broadband white light supercontinuum, this angle dependence is characterized and explained theoretically by a combination of propagation effects outside the medium and coherent backscattering. We report a strong dependence of the coherent backscattering contribution on the scattering strength which cannot be explained by the diffusion theory. Our results indicate that coherent backscattering of the frequency correlation forms a sensitive probe for the breakdown of the diffusive regime near localization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Angular-resolved photon-coincidence measurements in a multiple-scattering medium

We present angular-resolved correlation measurements between photons after propagation through a three-dimensional disordered medium. The multiple scattering process induces photon correlations that are directly measured for light sources with different photon statistics. We find that multiple scattered photons between different angular directions with angles much larger than the average speckle width are strongly correlated. The time dependence of the angular photon correlation function is investigated and the coherence time of the light source is determined. Our results are found to be in excellent agreement with the continuous mode quantum theory of multiple scattering of light. The presented experimental technique is essential in order to study quantum phenomena in multiple scattering random media such as quantum interference and quantum entanglement of photons.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

Critical scaling of polarization waves on a heterogeneous chain of resonators

The intensity distribution of electromagnetic polar waves in a chain of near-resonant weakly-coupled scatterers is investigated theoretically and supported by a numerical analysis. Critical scaling behavior is discovered for part of the eigenvalue spectrum due to the disorder-induced Anderson transition. This localization transition (in a formally one-dimensional system) is attributed to the long-range dipole-dipole interaction, which decays inverse linearly with distance for polarization perpendicular to the chain. For polarization parallel to the chain, with inverse squared long range coupling, all eigenmodes are shown to be localized. A comparison with the results for Hermitian power-law random banded matrices and other intermediate models is presented. This comparison reveals the significance of non-Hermiticity of the model and the periodic modulation of the coupling.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Classification of light sources and their interaction with active and passive environments

The emission properties of a molecular light source depend on its optical and chemical environment. This dependence, however, is different for various light sources. We present a general classification of sources by introducing the concepts of Constant Amplitude and Constant Power Sources. The unforeseen consequences of this classification are illustrated for photonic studies by random laser experiments. Comparison of the experimental results with properly customized rate equations identifies the type of light source in the gain medium and an estimate for its quantum efficiency. Our results require a major revision of source studies in multiple scattering media.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2010

Control of light transmission through opaque scattering media in space and time

We report the first experimental demonstration of combined spatial and temporal control of light trajectories through opaque media. This control is achieved by solely manipulating spatial degrees of freedom of the incident wavefront. As an application, we demonstrate that the present approach is capable to form bandwidth-limited ultrashort pulses from the otherwise randomly transmitted light with a controllable interaction time of the pulses with the medium. Our approach provides a new tool for fundamental studies of light propagation in complex media and has potential for applications for coherent control, sensing and imaging in nano- and biophotonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2010

Digital Plasmonics

The field of plasmonics offers a route to control light fields with metallic nanostructures through the excitation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs). These surface waves, bound to a metal dielectric interface, tightly confine electromagnetic energy. Active control over SPPs has potential for applications in sensing, photovoltaics, quantum communication, nano circuitry, metamaterials and super-resolution microscopy. We achieve here a new level of control of plasmonic fields using a digital spatial light modulator. Optimizing the plasmonic phases via feedback we focus SPPs at a freely pre-chosen point on the surface of a nanohole array with high resolution. Digital addressing and scanning of SPPs without mechanical motion will enable novel interdisciplinary applications of advanced plasmonic devices in cell microscopy, optical data storage and sensing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2009

Observation of multifractality in Anderson localization of ultrasound

We report the first experimental observation of strong multifractality in wave functions at the Anderson localization transition in open three-dimensional elastic networks. Our results confirm the recently predicted symmetry of the multifractal exponents. We have discovered that the result of multifractal analysis of the real data depends on the excitation scheme used in the experiment.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2009

Varying the effective refractive index to measure optical transport in random media

We introduce a new approach for measuring both the effective medium and the transport properties of light propagation in heterogeneous media. Our method utilizes the conceptual equivalence of frequency variation with a change in the effective index of refraction. Experimentally, we measure intensity correlations via spectrally resolved refractive index tuning, controlling the latter via changes in the ambient pressure. Our experimental results perfectly match a generalized transport theory that incorporates the effective medium and predicts a precise value for the diffusion constant. Thus, we directly confirm the applicability of the effective medium concept in strongly scattering materials.

physics.optics↗