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FIP & ECE Seminar: Using time-symmetry to reverse optical scattering

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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
11:40 am - 12:40 pm
Dr. Changhuei Yang, Thomas G. Myers Professor of Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering and Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology

Abstract: We appear opaque because our tissues scatter light very strongly. Traditionally, optical imaging and the focusing of light in biological tissues is confounded by the extreme scattering nature of tissues. Interestingly, optical scattering is time-symmetric and we can exploit optical phase conjugation methods to reverse scattering effects. Over the past decade, my team has worked on wavefront control technologies to meaningfully focus light through living tissues for imaging and optogenetic stimulation purposes. I will report on our recent experimental findings. In addition, I will also talk about how the interplay between scattering and wavefront control is rich and tangled, with surprising optical opportunities waiting to be uncovered. For example, the incorporation of scattering within an optical system can actually improve system performance - a cloudy piece of plastic can actually be a better optical element than a well made lens!
Biography: Professor Yang's research efforts are in the areas of novel microscopy development and time-reversal optical wavefront control. Prof. Yang joined the California Institute of Technology in 2003. He is the Thomas G. Myers professor in the areas of Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering and Medical Engineering. He has received the NSF Career Award, the Coulter Foundation Early Career Phase I and II Awards, and the NIH Director's New Innovator Award. He is a fellow of the Coulter foundation, AIMBE, OSA and SPIE.

Contact: August Burns