CAREER: Microscopic Study of Photon Localization

在高度无序的介质中，光可能被定位于光波长数量级的小区域。迄今为止，大多数关于光子定位的实验都是在宏观层面上进行的。我们建议使用近场扫描光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜进行光子定位的微观研究。光定位和相干放大的相互作用是一个引人入胜的新研究领域。我们将研究光增益对光在随机介质中的扩散的影响。在实验研究的基础上，提出了一种基于时域有限差分法的光子定位数值模拟方法。提出的跨学科研究将对凝聚态物理、光学和激光物理产生重大影响。建议的教育活动包括：(1)开设一门新的多学科课程：光学在医学和环境科学中的应用；(2)通过万维网发起外展计划；(3)鼓励本科生和高中理科教师参与前沿科研工作。光散射是一种常见的现象，发生在云和人体组织中。光在无序介质中的行为不仅引起物理学家的极大兴趣，而且引起生物学家的极大兴趣。一个非同寻常的现象是光子定位：光可以被“困”在微米大小的随机介质中。到目前为止，还没有光子定位的直接证据。随着纳米技术的发展，我们提出使用纳米尺寸的尖端直接探测局域光子。在实验研究的基础上，我们将用一种新的数值模拟方法计算光子的局部化。通过将模拟结果与实验数据进行比较，我们将深入了解光子局域化及其与电子局域化的区别。提出的跨学科研究将对凝聚态物理、光学和激光物理产生重大影响。建议的教育活动包括：(1)开设一门新的多学科课程，光学在医学和环境科学中的应用；(2)通过万维网发起外展计划；(3)鼓励本科生和高中理科教师参与前沿科研工作

In a highly disordered medium, light may be localized in small regions of the size on the order of an optical wavelength. So far most experiments on photon localization are performed on the macroscopic level. We propose microscopic studies of photon localization using a near-field scanning optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The interplay of light localization and coherent amplification is a fascinating new field of research. We will investigate the effect of optical gain on light diffusion in a random medium. In addition to experimental studies, we will simulate photon localization numerically with a new approach based on the finite-difference time-domain method. The proposed interdisciplinary research will make a significant impact on condensed matter physics, optics, and laser physics. The proposed educational activities include: (1) establishment of a new multidisciplinary course, Applications of Optics in Medicine and Environmental Science; (2) initiation of an outreach program through the World-Wide-Web; (3) involvement of undergraduate students and high school science teachers in leading-edge research work. %%%Light scattering is a common phenomenon, occurring in clouds and human tissue. The behavior of light in disordered media is of great interest not only to physicists, but also to biologists. One extraordinary phenomenon is photon localization: light can be "trapped" in a micrometer-sized random medium. So far there has been no direct evidence of photon localization. With the recent advance of nanotechnology, we propose to use nanometer-sized tips to directly probe localized photons. In addition to experimental studies, we will calculate photon localization with a new numerical simulation method. By comparing the simulation result with the experimental data, we will gain a deep insight of photon localization and its difference from electron localization. The proposed interdisciplinary research will make a significant impact on condensed matter physics, optics, and laser physics. The proposed educational activities include: (1) creation of a new multidisciplinary course, Applications of Optics in Medicine and Environmental Science; (2) initiation of an outreach program through the World-Wide-Web; (3) involvement of undergraduate students and high school science teachers in leading-edge research work.***