Center for Relativistic Laser Science

2017 ABC

In this study, we measure a reflection matrix (i.e. input-output responses) of an object with extremely weak absorbance. The reflection eigenchannels identified from the singular value decomposition of the reflection matrix differentiate objects depending on their absorptivity. By using this property, we significantly improve the image contrast and signal to noise ratio in comparison with the conventional incoherent imaging method. Furthermore, we show that this approach has a potential to detect an extremely small spatial variation of absorbance beyond the traditional detection limit dictated by shot noise.