Monitoring sub-surface chemical reactions in heterogeneous materials using wavefront-shaping-assisted bidirectional...

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Chemical Physics

Background:

• Focusing light deep within heterogeneous materials is challenging due to scattering.
• Sub-surface chemical reaction monitoring requires advanced optical techniques.
• Wavefront shaping offers a potential solution for overcoming scattering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a bidirectional focusing microscope for sub-surface analysis.
• To investigate the advantages of bidirectional geometry for light focusing.
• To monitor chemical reactions within heterogeneous materials using optical spectroscopy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized feedback-assisted wavefront shaping for precise light focusing.
• Employed a bidirectional microscope geometry for enhanced performance.
• Applied fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy to probe chemical reactions.

Main Results:

• Achieved superior intensity enhancement with bidirectional focusing compared to single-sided methods.
• Demonstrated effective focusing of light within a heterogeneous material.
• Successfully monitored the photodegradation of a Eu-doped organic molecular crystal.

Conclusions:

• Bidirectional focusing microscopy with wavefront shaping is effective for sub-surface analysis.
• The developed microscope enables non-invasive monitoring of chemical reactions in complex media.
• This technique has potential applications in materials science and chemical sensing.