Tracking and imaging of dynamic objects in scattering media by time-reversed adapted-perturbation (TRAP) optical focusing

Abstract: The ability to steer light propagation inside scattering media has long been sought-after due to its potential widespread applications. To form optical foci inside scattering media, the only feasible strategy is to guide photons by using either implanted or virtual guide stars. However, all of these guide stars must be introduced extrinsically, either invasively or by physical contact, limiting the scope of their application. Here, we focus light inside scattering media by employing intrinsic dynamics as guide stars. By time-reversing the perturbed component of the scattered light adaptively, we concentrate light to the origin of the perturbation, where the permittivity varied spontaneously. We demonstrate dynamic light focusing onto moving targets and imaging of a time-variant object obscured by highly scattering media, without invasiveness and physical contact. Anticipated applications include all-weather optical communication with airplanes or satellites, tracking vehicles in thick fogs, and imaging and photoablation of angiogenic vessels in tumors.