Utilizing the randomness of light propagation through scattering media for sensing application (Conference Presentation)

Vinh Tran; Sujit Sahoo; Dong Wang; Cuong Dang

doi:10.1117/12.2509829

4 March 2019 Utilizing the randomness of light propagation through scattering media for sensing application (Conference Presentation)

Vinh Tran, Sujit Sahoo, Dong Wang, Cuong Dang

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10890, Label-free Biomedical Imaging and Sensing (LBIS) 2019; 108900M (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2509829
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2019, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

As widely known, random diffraction effect due to refractive index inhomogeneity is considered as an annoying factor for propagating light through scattering media. Here, instead of overcoming the random diffraction, we utilize the natural randomness of strongly scattering media and their sensitivity to inhomogeneity of refractive index to develop a novel optical sensor. Unlike various sensing technologies with trade-off among complexity, sensitivity and stability, here we demonstrate a very simple sensing technique which uses scattering media to achieve super sensitivity, speedy response time and possibly high stability. In our sensing principle, a lasing beam passing through a turbid medium creates a speckle pattern on a camera due to interference of random refracted light off the scattering media. Light is scattered multiple times at multiple interfaces between ground glass and the surrounding environment creating a speckle pattern which is sensitive to the environment’s refractive index. The correlation of speckle patterns indicates the change of refractive index around the scattering medium. Simply placing the rough surface of ground glass in contact with sensing solutions, we are able to measure glucose, or sodium chloride concentration with sensitivity in the order of micro grams per liter. More interestingly, the sensitivity of the proposed approach could be improved simply by adding more scattering surfaces in contact with the target medium. Therefore, our simple technique could be very useful for prominent applications in refractive index sensing such as measuring solution concentration, distinguishing different gases, detecting pressure change and so on.

Conference Presentation

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Vinh Tran, Sujit Sahoo, Dong Wang, and Cuong Dang "Utilizing the randomness of light propagation through scattering media for sensing application (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 10890, Label-free Biomedical Imaging and Sensing (LBIS) 2019, 108900M (4 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2509829

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KEYWORDS

Light scattering

Scattering media

Refractive index

Speckle pattern

Diffraction

Environmental sensing

Glasses

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