Nir Davidson

Focusing and imaging through inhomogeneous, disordered media challenges many applications in optics. Examples range from focusing through atmospheric turbulence in optical communication and LIDAR applications, to focusing through biological tissues in optical microscopy and laser nano-surgery applications. Wavefront shaping with spatial light modulators can focus light through a disordered medium but finding the desired wavefront requires long acquisition times. Here, we exploit an all optical feedback in order to image and focus light through a disordered media at much shorter time scales.

We experimentally demonstrate that by placing the scattering medium directly inside the laser cavity, the appropriate wavefront, which focuses and images the light through the medium, is chosen by the laser itself. This occurs as a result of mode competition and without the need for complicated computer controlled phase modulators and electronic feedback algorithms. The optimal wavefront is found by the laser in less than 500 ns, which is orders of magnitude faster than the reported wavefront shaping record.