Translation correlations in anisotropically scattering media

TL;DR

This paper predicts and experimentally verifies new transmission matrix correlations in thick anisotropically scattering media, which could enhance wavefront shaping for biomedical imaging and adaptive optics.

Contribution

It introduces and confirms the existence of novel correlations in thick anisotropic scattering media, extending the memory-effect concept beyond thin layers.

Findings

New correlations exist in thick anisotropic media

Experimental verification supports theoretical predictions

Potential applications in biomedical imaging and adaptive optics

Abstract

Controlling light propagation across scattering media by wavefront shaping holds great promise for a wide range of communications and imaging applications. However, finding the right wavefront to shape is a challenge when the mapping between input and output scattered wavefronts (i.e. the transmission matrix) is not known. Correlations in transmission matrices, especially the so-called memory-effect, have been exploited to address this limitation. However, the traditional memory-effect applies to thin scattering layers at a distance from the target, which precludes its use within thick scattering media, such as fog and biological tissue. Here, we theoretically predict and experimentally verify new transmission matrix correlations within thick anisotropically scattering media, with important implications for biomedical imaging and adaptive optics.