Optical path clearing and enhanced transmission through colloidal suspensions

Opt Express. 2010 Aug 2;18(16):17130-40. doi: 10.1364/OE.18.017130.

Abstract

We utilize advanced laser fields to clear a path through a dynamic turbid medium, a concept termed "Optical path clearing (OPC)." Particles are evacuated from a volume of the medium using the gradient and/or scattering forces due to an applied laser field with a suitably tailored spatial profile. Our studies encompass both an analytical model and proof-of-principle experiments where paths are cleared in dense bulk colloidal suspensions. Based on our results we suggest that high-performance and high efficiency OPC will be achieved by multiple-step clearing using dynamic laser fields based on Airy or inverted axicon beams.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electronics / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Lasers*
  • Light*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Suspensions / chemistry*

Substances

  • Suspensions