title: Large-scale optical-field measurements with geometric fibre constructs.
abstract: Optical fields are measured using sequential arrangements of optical components such as lenses, filters, and beam splitters in conjunction with planar arrays of point detectors placed on a common axis. All such systems are constrained in terms of size, weight, durability and field of view. Here a new, geometric approach to optical-field measurements is presented that lifts some of the aforementioned limitations and, moreover, enables access to optical information on unprecedented length and volume scales. Tough polymeric photodetecting fibres drawn from a preform are woven into light-weight, low-optical-density, two- and three-dimensional constructs that measure the amplitude and phase of an electromagnetic field on very large areas. First, a three-dimensional spherical construct is used to measure the direction of illumination over 4pi steradians. Second, an intensity distribution is measured by a planar array using a tomographic algorithm. Finally, both the amplitude and phase of an optical wave front are acquired with a dual-plane construct. Hence, the problem of optical-field measurement is transformed from one involving the choice and placement of lenses and detector arrays to that of designing geometrical constructions of polymeric, light-sensitive fibres.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Ayman F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Abouraddy
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayindir
authors.forename: Jerimy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sorin
authors.forename: Dursen S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hinczewski
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Joannopoulos
authors.forename: Yoel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fink