Universal optimal transmission of light through disordered materials

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that wavefront shaping can significantly enhance light transmission through disordered materials, achieving a universal maximum transmission of two-thirds, independent of sample thickness, in agreement with theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence for universal optimal light transmission through disordered media using wavefront shaping, confirming theoretical predictions.

Findings

Up to 44% increase in light transmission achieved.

Experimental results match random matrix theory predictions.

Universal transmission limit of 2/3 regardless of sample thickness.

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate increased transmission of light through strongly scattering materials. Wavefront shaping is used to selectively couple light to the open transport channels in the material, resulting in an increase of up to 44% in the total transmission. The results for each of several hundreds of experimental runs are in excellent quantitative agreement with random matrix theory. Extrapolating our measurements to the limit of perfect wavefront shaping, we find a universal transmission of 2/3, regardless of the thickness of the sample.