Speckle diagnostics of multiple scattering media with the use of frequency-modulated laser radiation

A method for probing randomly inhomogeneous multiple scattering media with the use of frequency-modulated laser radiation is considered. The method is based on analysis of the dependence of the blinking index of time-averaged speckles formed upon scattering of the probing radiation in a medium on the frequency modulation depth of the probing radiation. In the case of a binary frequency modulation, the blinking index of the detected speckle-modulated radiation is determined by the cosine Fourier transform of the probability density of the optical path-length difference of partial components of the scattered field in the probed medium. The values of the probability density of the optical path-length difference reconstructed with the use of the proposed method from the measured blinking index of speckles for model scattering media (fluoroplastic layer and layer of TiO₂ particles on a glass substrate) are in a good agreement with the results of statistical simulation of the probing radiation transfer in multiple scattering media.     

Liquid transport due to light scattering

Using experiments and theory, we show that light scattering by inhomogeneities in the index of refraction of a fluid can drive a large-scale flow. The experiment uses a near-critical, phase-separated liquid, which experiences large fluctuations in its index of refraction. A laser beam traversing the liquid produces a interface deformation on the scale of the experimental setup and can cause a liquid jet to form. We demonstrate that the deformation is produced by a scattering-induced flow by obtaining good agreements between the measured deformations and those calculated assuming this mechanism.     

Low-order light scattering in multiple scattering disperse media

Light scattering has been investigated in systems in which both single and higher order scattering occur. The Monte Carlo simulation technique for studying light scattering in randomly inhomogeneous, strongly scattering disperse media was employed. The reliability of the data obtained has been checked by comparing the results of the computer simulation with analytical calculations for the intensity of doubly scattered light. The first several scattering orders have been analyzed for different geometries of the optical experiment. It has been shown, in particular, that, depending on the detector aperture, the contribution of multiple scattering can vary by almost an order of magnitude.

     

高散射媒质中的光程可分割动态光散射研究

为研究散射光强度随光子在散射媒质中散射光程的变化,基于单散射理论与扩散波光谱理论,采用了低相干动态光散射装置对不同粒径大小的聚苯乙烯悬浮液进行研究。将测量得到的背散射光光场强度谱的线宽与相应的理论计算结果相比较发现,在短光程区域,考虑容器壁附近拖曳效应的影响后,对于不同粒径的颗粒,光程为约5倍粒子平均自由程的区域可看成为单散射区域;对于光程大于225 m的区域可看成为扩散光波区域。实验结果表明低相干动态光散射法可实现高散射媒质从单散射区域到低次散射再到扩散区域的全光程的可分割的光场强度谱测量。     

Multiple light scattering from disordered media. The effect of brownian motion of scatterers

We have measured the time autocorrelation function of the light intensity multiply scattered from turbid aqueous suspensions of submicron size polystyrene spheres in directions near backscattering. It is found strongly non-exponential at short times revealing the very fast decay of coherence in extended scattering loops due to the thermal motion of the many spheres involved; the longest living decay time is found remarkably close to the single particle backscattering relaxation time even under conditions of interparticle interactions. These features are only weakly affected by the particular interference effect between time-reversed pairs of loops giving rise to the coherent backscattering enhancement. A simple argument is presented which accounts for these observations.Dedicated to Prof. Klaus Dransfeld on the occasion of his 60^th birthday     

Speckle polarization diagnostics of scattering media using partially coherent radiation

The paper discusses a method for probing a randomly inhomogeneous medium using partially coherent radiation and polarization filtering of the radiation scattered by the medium. The method is based on the analysis of the contrast of speckle-modulated images of the object under study as a function of the coherence length of the probe radiation. A theoretical justification of the method is given as applied to systems of discrete scatterers with the subsequent modification of the results obtained for continuously distributed scattering systems. The results of experimental testing of the developed method for scattering media characterized by nondiffusion conditions of propagation of the probe radiation are presented and compared with the results of the theoretical analysis.     

Diffuse light scattering in dispersed media

Russian Physics Journal -     

Electrophoretic investigations by laser light scattering

The electrophoresis of various colloidal suspensions has been investigated by laser light scattering. The electric field was applied to the solution by means of a narrow gap electrode configuration using a frequency modulated square wave electric field. The power spectrum of the intensity fluctuations of the scattered light was determined by direct sampling of the light intensity using an A/D converter and an on-line minicomputer. This experimental arrangement is capable of measuring very small Doppler shifts.     

Signal statistics of laser light scattering

After a brief survey of number fluctuations, a topic of current interest in light scattering research, the theory is developed for a particular case of this type. A laser beam of Gaussian cross section illuminates a volume in which there is a fluctuating number of identical particles. For incoherent detection the scattered intensities are additive. The interest centers on the statistics of the total scattered intensity. Starting from the moment generating function, the distribution function of scattered intensity is computed using two different methods. In an experiment designed to test the computed distributions, agreement between theory and measurement is found if the mean particle number within the scattering volume exceeds 3. The experimental procedure is described and some difficulties are explained which so far did not permit application of the theory for particle numbers much below 3.     

IMAGING: Focusing light in scattering media

Combining ultrasonic modulation and optical phase conjugation allows light to be tightly focused in a scattering medium, providing benefits for studies of photophysical, photochemical and photobiological processes.     

Multiple scattering of light in superdiffusive media

Light transport in superdiffusive media of finite size is studied theoretically. The intensity Green's function for a slab geometry is found by discretizing the fractional diffusion equation and employing the eigenfunction expansion method. Truncated step length distributions and complex boundary conditions are considered. The profile of a coherent backscattering cone is calculated in the superdiffusion approximation.     

Modification of radiation pressure due to cooperative scattering of light

Cooperative spontaneous emission of a single photon from a cloud of N atoms modifies substantially the radiation pressure exerted by a far-detuned laser beam exciting the atoms. On one hand, the force induced by photon absorption depends on the collective decay rate of the excited atomic state. On the other hand, directional spontaneous emission counteracts the recoil induced by the absorption. We derive an analytical expression for the radiation pressure in steady-state. For a smooth extended atomic distribution we show that the radiation pressure depends on the atom number via cooperative scattering and that, for certain atom numbers, it can be suppressed or enhanced. Cooperative scattering of light by extended atomic clouds can become important in the presence of quasi-resonant light and could be addressed in many cold atoms experiments.     

Using dynamic low-coherence interferometry to image Brownian motion within highly scattering media

Dynamic low-coherence interferometry was used to measure Brownian motion of submicrometer particles within highly scattering media. Strong rejection of multiply scattered light was obtained by combination of a coherence gate with a confocal microscope, thus allowing particle characterization methods generally reserved for optically dilute materials to be applied to optically concentrated suspensions. The Brownian diffusion coefficient of highly scattering media was determined with an accuracy better than 5%. Furthermore, we show that spatial variations in the Brownian diffusion coefficient can be imaged with an axial resolution determined by the coherence length of the light source (~30 mum) . The experiments also show broadening of the power spectrum as a function of depth into the sample, most likely as a result of detecting multiply scattered light.     

Nanoparticle size characterization by laser light scattering

Spherical semiconductor nanoparticles (ZnS) were specially fabricated by an inexpensive chemical route. The scattering profile of the nanoparticles was investigated by laser light scattering technique. A beam of polarized light from a diode laser (λ ₀ ≈ 630 nm) was allowed to fall on the nanospheres embedded in flexible host matrix Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA). The light scattered from the samples were detected by means of analyzer mounted photodiode array from 10° to 170° in steps of 1°. Signals from the detectors were interfaced with a high resolution data acquisition system and the whole experiment was carried out in differential mode. Size of the nanoparticles was obtained by using Mie theory and verified by T-matrix approach. The results obtained agree with the XRD and TEM results.      

Propagation and scattering of light in stratified media

The propagation and scattering of light in stratified media are considered. Based on the Maxwell equations, the present approaches to the solution of these problems are formulated in a unified way. The particular features of the wave propagation in stratified media are discussed. Scalar and vector fields are considered. Media with small-and large-scale regular inhomogeneities are examined. The construction of the Green’s function of the wave equation in a spatially homogeneous medium is discussed. Stratified isotropic and anisotropic media are analyzed. The scattering of light in a stratified medium is studied with emphasis on the Kirchhoff method, as this makes it possible to obtain calculation formulas in a form convenient for comparing the theory with the experiment. The propagation of waves in photonic crystals and the formation of forbidden zones in such objects are briefly considered.     

Attenuation of collimated light beams in scattering media

The effect of singly side-scattered light on the attenuation of collimated light beams in turbid media is investigated. Correction formulas for the exponential attenuation law are derived for the case where the viewing angles of the receiving system and radiation source are equal. The ranges in which the corrections are important in the propagation of light beams in haze, fog, and rain are indicated. It is shown that the range of solid angles in which the angular dependence of the scattered light can be neglected is defined by the inequality 1.1, where p is the Mie parameter; the solid angle determines the divergence of the light beam, which is equal in this case to the viewing angle of the receiving system.     

Focusing coherent light through opaque strongly scattering media

We report focusing of coherent light through opaque scattering materials by control of the incident wavefront. The multiply scattered light forms a focus with a brightness that is up to a factor of 1000 higher than the brightness of the normal diffuse transmission.     

Determination of optical properties of slices of turbid media by diffuse CW laser light scattering profilometry

In this work we present a method for determining the optical parameters of turbid media, namely its absorption coefficient (μ_a) and its reduced scattering coefficient . It is based on the measurement of CW transmittance profiles and analysis of the experimental data by a theoretical model based on the diffusion approximation (DA) of the radiative transfer equation (RTE). The method developed has been investigated with solid polymer probes but it could be applied for liquid materials as well. Experimental results are presented and compared to those of other authors together with a discussion about the accuracy of measurements. In addition, measurements using integrating spheres as well as Monte Carlo simulations are also presented to validate these results.     

Theory of laser action in scattering gain media

A laser model based on feedback produced by scattering has been developed to explain the narrow linewidth emission and input-output behavior observed in scattering gain media. The model is based on the transient two-level laser equations and includes the detailed spectral properties of the dye gain system. Monte Carlo methods were employed to calculate the threshold gain required for modeling the input-output and linewidth emission characteristics.