Scattering in random photonic networks

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The aim of the project is the investigation of scattering phenomena in random optical media in the presence of nonlinearity and the experimental verification of respective theoretical predictions. We want to construct and investigate technically relevant and easy to handle model systems as photonic networks and distorted film waveguides, which realize different scattering geometries as well as nonlinear interaction in a controlled manner.In photonic networks scattering centers are represented by directional couplers, where the light is transmitted between the different couplers without losses via waveguides or fibers. Randomness comes into play due to varying length of these connectors. We will investigate weak localization, back scattering and the effect of nonlinearly induced index changes as well as of gain and loss in photonic networks of different connectivity and dimension.Kerr nonlinearities in AlGaAs film waveguides may compete with a spatially varying random index profile. We will investigate how the formation of spatial solitons influences or even suppresses the scattering of light on respective impurities and how the extreme value statistics of the transmitted field amplitudes is influenced by disorder and nonlinearity.This project will give new insights into the dynamics of scattering processes and in the interplay between randomness and nonlinearity.