H. Yilmaz

Speckle correlation resolution enhancement of wide-field fluorescence imaging

High-resolution fluorescence imaging is essential in nanoscience and biological sciences. Due to the diffraction limit, conventional imaging systems can only resolve structures larger than 200 nm. Here, we introduce a new fluorescence imaging method that enhances the resolution by using a high-index scattering medium as an imaging lens. Simultaneously, we achieve a wide field of view. We develop a new image reconstruction algorithm that converges even for complex object structures. We collect two-dimensional fluorescence images of a collection of 100 nm diameter dye-doped nanospheres, and demonstrate a deconvolved Abbe resolution of 116 nm with a field of view of 10 μm×10  μm . Our method is robust against optical aberrations and stage drifts, and therefore is well suited to image nanostructures with high resolution under ambient conditions.Hasan Yılmaz, Elbert G. van Putten, Jacopo Bertolotti, Ad Lagendijk, Willem L. Vos, and Allard P. Mosk Complex Photonic Systems (COPS), MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands Present address: Philips Research Laboratories, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands Present address: Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom

Optimal control of light propagation through multiple-scattering media in the presence of noise

We study the control of coherent light propagation through multiple-scattering media in the presence of measurement noise. In our experiments, we use a two-step optimization procedure to find the optimal incident wavefront that generates a bright focal spot behind the medium. We conclude that the control of coherent light propagation through a multiple-scattering medium is only determined by the number of photoelectrons detected per optimized segment. The prediction of our model agrees well with the experimental results. Our results offer opportunities for imaging applications through scattering media such as biological tissue in the shot noise limit.

Coupling of energy into the fundamental diffusion mode of a complex nanophotonic medium

We demonstrate experimentally that optical wavefront shaping selectively couples light into the fundamental diffusion mode of a scattering medium. The total energy density inside a scattering medium of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was probed by measuring the emitted fluorescent power of spheres that were randomly positioned inside the medium. The fluorescent power of an optimized incident wavefront is observed to be enhanced compared to a non-optimized incident wavefront. The observed enhancement increases with sample thickness. Based on diffusion theory, we derive a model wherein the distribution of energy density of wavefront-shaped light is described by the fundamental diffusion mode. The agreement between our model and the data is striking, not in the least since there are no adjustable parameters. Enhanced total energy density is crucial to increase the efficiency of white LEDs, solar cells, and of random lasers, as well as to realize controlled illumination in biomedical optics.We demonstrate experimentally that optical wavefront shaping increases light coupling into the fundamental diffusion mode of a scattering medium. The total energy density inside a scattering medium of zinc oxide nanoparticles was probed by exciting fluorescent spheres that were randomly positioned in the medium and collecting the fluorescent power. We optimized the incident wavefront to obtain a bright focus at the back surface of the sample and found that the concomitant fluorescent power is enhanced compared to a non-optimized incident wavefront. The observed enhancement increases with sample thickness. Based on diffusion theory, we derive a model wherein the distribution of the energy density of wavefront-shaped light is dominated by the fundamental diffusion mode. Our model agrees remarkably well with our experiments, notably since the model has no freely adjustable parameters.

Tunable Integrated Optical Filters Based on Sapphire Microspheres and Liquid Crystals

We present an integrated optical narrowband electrically tunable filter based on the whispering gallery modes of sapphire microspheres and double ion-exchanged channel BK7 glass waveguides. Tuning is provided by a liquid crystal infiltrated between the spheres and the glass substrate. By suitably choosing the radii of the spheres and of the circular apertures, upon which the spheres are positioned, arrays of different filters can be realized on the same substrate with a low cost industrial process. We evaluate the performance in terms of quality factor, mode spacing, and tuning range by comparing the numerical results obtained by the numerical finite element modeling approach and with the analytical approach of the Generalized Lorenz-Mie Theory for various design parameters. By reorienting the LC in an external electrical field, we demonstrate the tuning of the spectral response of the sapphire microsphere based filter. We find that the value of the mode spacing remains nearly unchanged for the different values of the applied electric field. An increase of the applied electric field strength, changes the refractive index of the liquid crystal, so that for a fixed geometry the mode spacing remains unchanged.

Tuning of optical resonances of a microsphere with liquid crystal

Optical resonances are observed in the elastic light scattering form high refractive index glass microspheres placed on a single mode optical fiber coupler and in a liquid crystal. Placing the liquid crystal on the optical fiber coupler increases the non-resonant scattering, whereas placing the liquid crystal away from the optical coupler increases the resonant scattering. Optical resonances blue and red shift due to the placement and removal of the liquid crystal.

Whispering-gallery modes observed in elastic scattering from submerged high-refractive-index silica microspheres

Abstract. The effect of the discrete values of the refractive index of the surrounding medium on the spectral behavior of the whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) in the elastic scattering spectra of high-refractive-index silica microspheres submerged in fluids, such as air, water, and glycerol, is studied. The elastic scattering spectral measurements, as well as the spectral autocorrelation analysis of these elastic scattering spectra show that the spectral-mode spacing, the spectral-mode density, and the spectral-mode definition of the WGMs decrease as the refractive index of the surrounding fluid increases. We believe that this work opens up the way for optofluidic applications of high-refractive-index silica microsphere-based guided wave optics.

Coupling of light into the fundamental diffusion mode of a scattering medium(Conference Presentation)

Diffusion equation describes the energy density inside a scattering medium such as biological tissues and paint [1]. The solution of the diffusion equation is a sum over a complete set of eigensolutions that shows a characteristic linear decrease with depth in the medium. It is of particular interest if one could launch energy in the fundamental eigensolution, as this opens the opportunity to achieve a much greater internal energy density. For applications in optics, an enhanced energy density is vital for solid-state lighting, light harvesting in solar cells, low-threshold random lasers, and biomedical optics. Here we demonstrate the first ever selective coupling of optical energy into a diffusion eigensolution of a scattering medium of zinc oxide (ZnO) paint. To this end, we exploit wavefront shaping to selectively couple energy into the fundamental diffusion mode, employing fluorescence of nanoparticles randomly positioned inside the medium as a probe of the energy density. We observe an enhanced fluorescence in case of optimized incident wavefronts, and the enhancement increases with sample thickness, a typical mesoscopic control parameter. We interpret successfully our result by invoking the fundamental eigensolution of the diffusion equation, and we obtain excellent agreement with our observations, even in absence of adjustable parameters [2]. References [1] R. Pierrat, P. Ambichl, S. Gigan, A. Haber, R. Carminati, and R. Rotter, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 111, 17765 (2014). [2] O. S. Ojambati, H. Yilmaz, A. Lagendijk, A. P. Mosk, and W. L. Vos, arXiv:1505.08103.

Fiber Optic Excitation of Silicon Microspheres in Amorphous and Crystalline Fluids

ABSTRACT This study investigates the optical resonance spectra of free-standing monolithic single crystal silicon microspheres immersed in various amorphous fluids, such as air, water, ethylene glycol, and 4-Cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl nematic liquid crystal. For the various amorphous fluids, morphology-dependent resonances with quality factors on the order of 105 are observed at 1428 nm. The mode spacing is always on the order of 0.23 nm. The immersion in various amorphous fluids affects the spectral response of the silicon microsphere and heralds this technique for use in novel optofluidics applications. Even though the nematic liquid crystal is a highly birefringent, scattering, and high-index optical medium, morphology-dependent resonances with quality factors on the order of 105 are observed at 1300 nm in the elastic scattering spectra of the silicon microsphere, realizing a liquid-crystal-on-silicon geometry. The relative refractive index and the size parameter of the silicon microsphere are the parameters that affect the resonance structure. The more 4-Cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl interacting with the silicon microsphere, the lower the quality factor of the resonances is. The more 4-Cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl is interacting with the silicon microsphere, the lower the mode spacing Δλ of the resonances is. The silicon microspheres wetted with nematic liquid crystal can be used for optically addressed liquid-crystal-on-silicon displays, light valve applications, or reconfigurable optical networks.

Optical modulation with a ruby microsphere in liquid crystal

Optical spectra of a hybrid device consisting of a ruby microsphere and nematic liquid crystal are calculated at different voltages applied to the liquid crystal. A wavelength shift of 0.11 nm is observed for resonances with mode spacing of 1.6 nm.