Fundamental theoretical and experimental investigations of wavefront shaping deep in biological media

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alwin Kienle
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 445978371

The aim of the requested project is the fundamental investigation of wavefront shaping deep in scattering, especially biological, media and of its applications based on exact and efficient - both analytical and numerical - solutions of Maxwell's equations and of the radiative transfer equation. For example, the focusing due to wavefront shaping will be characterized systematically regarding all optical properties and the focus depth in the scattering medium both for pulsed and for continuous wave sources. Further, a variety of techniques, for example, correlation studies of the reflected elastically scattered light and the reflected one- and multiphoton fluorescence light, will be investigated to achieve a successful non-invasive feedback about the formation of a sharp focus deep in the scattering medium. The theoretical results will be validated with measurements on optically and geometrically, partly microscopically, accurately characterized static and non-static phantoms and on animalic ex vivo tissue. In case of success, this research work promises a series of very important applications, especially, microscopic imaging of biological tissue much deeper than is possible today.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants