Nonlinear Spatial Focusing in Random Layered Media by Spectral Pulse Shaping

Abstract: We demonstrate numerically a method of focusing two-photon field inside one-dimensional random media. The approach is based on coherent control of backscattering achieved by adaptive spectral pulse shaping. The spectral phases of a femtosecond laser pulse are adjusted for the constructive interference of its backward-traveling components, resulting in an enhanced reflection from within the random system. A delayed forward-propagating second pulse overlaps with the controlled reflection, increasing the inter-pulse multi-photon field at a location determined by the delay between the two pulses. The technique is shown to be robust against the variations of the disorder, and to work with realistic pulse shaping parameters, hence enabling applications in controlling random lasing and multi-photon imaging in scattering materials.