Engineering of light confinement in strongly scattering disordered media

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Mesoscopic Physics

Background:

• Disordered photonic materials exhibit complex light diffusion and localization via multiple scattering.
• Light transport is governed by photonic modes with specific spectral and spatial characteristics.
• Wavefront shaping offers control over light transport, but individual mode engineering remains theoretical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate the engineering of mode confinement and interactions in 2D disordered photonic structures.
• To achieve local tuning of mode resonance frequencies post-fabrication.
• To control the detuning between overlapping localized modes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 2D disordered photonic structure with optimized light confinement.
• Post-fabrication processes for accurate, local tuning of mode resonance frequencies.
• Selective control of detuning between overlapping localized modes.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated experimental control over light mode confinement and interactions.
• Achieved precise tuning of resonance frequencies for individual modes.
• Observed frequency crossing and anti-crossing behaviors in overlapping localized modes.

Conclusions:

• This technique enables selective engineering of photonic modes in disordered media.
• It paves the way for creating open transmission channels in strongly scattering materials.
• Offers new possibilities for photonic applications and fundamental studies of light-matter interactions.