Polarization control of multiply-scattered light through random media by wavefront shaping

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that wavefront shaping can control the polarization state of light after passing through a complex scattering medium, enabling arbitrary polarization at any point behind the medium.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate polarization states of transmitted light through random media using wavefront shaping with a spatial light modulator.

Findings

Polarization states can be precisely controlled after scattering.

Any desired polarization at any spatial point is achievable.

The technique transforms random media into customizable polarization devices.

Abstract

We show that the polarization state of coherent light propagating through an optically thick multiple-scattering medium, can be controlled by wavefront shaping, i.e. by controlling only the spatial phase of the incoming field with a spatial light modulator. Any polarization state of light at any spatial position behind the scattering medium can be attained with this technique. Thus, transforming the random medium to an arbitrary optical polarization component becomes possible.