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Laser Physics

Backscattering of laser light from colloidal silica

Litty Mathew Irimpan, V J Dann, Bindu Krishnan, A. Deepthy, Vadakkedathu P. N. Nampoori, P. Radhakrishnan

Published Jul 1, 2008• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Light-scattering experiments gained prominence as potential applications of quantum optics, non-linear optics, and photon localization. The possibility of the realization of lasing action in random media has created much interest in the study of the coherent structure of the backscattered light from disordered media. Backscattering (BS) studies are carried out to analyze the possibilities of photon localization in colloidal silica. The scattering enhancement is best associated with the density of the scatterers. The width of the BS cone and, hence, the mean-free path is related to the concentration of the medium. The dependence of the photon wavelength on the possible characteristics of the scattering is presented.

DOI
10.1134/s1054660x08070128

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Light-scattering experiments gained prominence as potential applications of quantum optics, non-linear optics, and photon localization. The possibility of the realization of lasing action in random media has created much interest in the study of the coherent structure of the backscattered light from disordered media. Backscattering (BS) studies are carried out to analyze the possibilities of photon localization in colloidal silica. The scattering enhancement is best associated with the density of the scatterers. The width of the BS cone and, hence, the mean-free path is related to the concentration of the medium. The dependence of the photon wavelength on the possible characteristics of the scattering is presented.
We investigated the dynamics of coherent backscattering cone and random laser in a disordered gain medium of ZnO powder. Theoretical fit to the coherent backscattering cone yields a transport mean free path l approximately equal to the probe wavelength λ, indicating that the scattering process is in the strong scattering regime. Supernarrow emissions from the laser are accompanied by enhancement and sharpening of the coherent backscattering cone. This enhanced and sharpened backscattering cone returns to a normal profile within 10–20ps, indicating an ultrafast gain lifetime in the medium, which is in good agreement with the time-resolved measurement of the random laser emissions.
Summary form only given. Over the past two decades, there has been much progress in the study of light transport in a disordered dielectric medium. Most studies are within the framework of ray optics or wave optics. Quantum statistical properties of light in a random medium have received little attention. To bridge the gap between random media and quantum optics, we conducted an experimental study of photon statistics of random lasers. ZnO nanoparticles with an average diameter of 80 nm are cold-pressed to form a pellet. In the coherent backscattering experiment, the scattering mean free path is measured The frequency-tripled output of a picosecond Nd:YAG laser is used to optically excite the ZnO pellet. The ZnO emission is measured by a spectrometer which is connected to a streak camera.
Understanding the complex interactions of the quantum light with different media provides valuable insights into potential applications in quantum tomography, microscopy, circuit and network design, and imaging. This thesis investigates quantum light interaction with two types of media: I. Random media entailing multiple scattering (Chapters 2-5), and II. Structured media, specifically designed to control quantum interferences (Chapters 6 and 7). In the first part of the thesis, and through solving the Lippmann-Schwinger equation for collections of small scatterers, a first principle scalar model for multiple scattering in finite-sized random media is developed. This efficient numerical model serves as the basis for investigating the coherent backscattering, a manifestation of weak localization in random media, for several bounded random media and various illuminations. Through employing mode expansion, next, the developed model is adapted to a general class of quantum-optical studies and quantum correlations are successfully derived and analyzed in scattering from finite disordered structures as well as systems of few scatterers. In multiple scattering of two-photon states in weak localization regime, the emergence of coherent two-photon backscattering is presented for the first time in coincidence detection, and it is demonstrated that quantum correlations can be used as a probe of entanglement dimensionality. Multiple scattering of two-photon states results in granular patterns known as speckle patterns. The statistical properties of single- and two-photon speckle patterns in scattering of different states are numerically calculated and the speckle visibilities and relevant parameters are derived. Specifically, the deviation of the probability density functions from negative exponential distributions, traditionally recognized as Rayleigh statistics in classical scattering, is identified, and shown to significantly depend on the presence of entanglement. Lastly, a different numerical implementation (based on COMSOL Multiphysics package) is used to consolidate our findings by incorporating the polarization effects. Coherent backscattering and coherent two-photon backscattering are observed for co-polarized fields in scattering from synthesized disordered media. It is demonstrated that depending on the particle exchange symmetry in polarization entangled excitation, the photons can exhibit statistical tendency to bunch together in the same mode, appear in separate modes (antibunching), or show a mixed response after multiple scattering. These bosonic-, fermionic-, and anyonic-like behaviors are studied in connection with coherent backscattering phenomenon, and it is demonstrated that the degree of enhancement in backscattering depends on the exchange symmetries. The simplicity and effectiveness of the implemented scattering analysis and the significance of the consequent conclusions suggest our approach as a promising platform for ‘numerical experiments’ without the limitations of analytical or semi-analytical models, and a practical tool prior to experiments. In the second part of the thesis, the random media operating as multimode platforms are replaced with engineered surfaces, i.e., metasurfaces, to realize targeted quantum interferences. First, a design roadmap for general lossy, asymmetric, and unbalanced coupling networks is presented, allowing to achieve maximum programmability in two-photon interferences. Next, two switchable metasurface-based coupling networks are designed to control nonclassical two-photon interferences via thermally driven crystallographic phase transitions. Numerical simulations confirm smooth transition between coalescence and anti-coalescence, aiming to address the current need in quantum optics for free-space compact devices creating tunable quantum interferences and acting as fast modulators for the second order quantum correlations. Our proposed compact and rapidly controllable devices pave the way towards new quantum applications as well as improving the current free-space quantum systems.
We investigated random scattering of light in a disorder gain medium of ZnO powder using the pump-probe technique. Using a probe beam at (lambda) =390nm, the width ((theta) ) of the coherent backscattering peak from the ZnO powder is measured to be ~7.5 degree(s), thus the coherent scattering length l is approximately 1.2(lambda) ((theta) =(lambda) /2(pi) l) which is close to the strong scattering regime. When a pump beam ((lambda) =267nm) exceeds a certain excitation threshold, supernarrow emission peaks (bandwidth less than 1nm) emerged from the ZnO broad photoluminescence background. Concurrently, we also observed enhancement and sharpening of the coherent backscattering cone. Since light from the center of the backscatter cone experience the largest number of scatterings (i.e. longest gain length), this result is thus consistent with the random laser model that the supernarrow peak is due to amplification and stimulated emission of photon in the random gain medium. The time-resolved pump-probe measurement shows that the lifetime of the emission state above the lasing threshold is only a few picoseconds which is consistent with the interpretation that the supernarrow peaks are due to stimulated emission.
We investigated random scattering of light in a disorder gain medium of ZnO powder using the pump-probe technique. Using a probe beam at (lambda) =390nm, the width ((theta) ) of the coherent backscattering peak from the ZnO powder is measured to be ~7.5 degree(s), thus the coherent scattering length l is approximately 1.2(lambda) ((theta) =(lambda) /2(pi) l) which is close to the strong scattering regime. When a pump beam ((lambda) =267nm) exceeds a certain excitation threshold, supernarrow emission peaks (bandwidth less than 1nm) emerged from the ZnO broad photoluminescence background. Concurrently, we also observed enhancement and sharpening of the coherent backscattering cone. Since light from the center of the backscatter cone experience the largest number of scatterings (i.e. longest gain length), this result is thus consistent with the random laser model that the supernarrow peak is due to amplification and stimulated emission of photon in the random gain medium. The time-resolved pump-probe measurement shows that the lifetime of the emission state above the lasing threshold is only a few picoseconds which is consistent with the interpretation that the supernarrow peaks are due to stimulated emission.