Remote sensing via multi-path optical interference of reflected light
Abstract
We propose to explore and develop approaches for remote sensing based on the distinctive optical reflectance generated from multi-path interference occurring from light propagation within microstructures. In this approach, optical interference occurs between light rays traveling by different trajectories of total internal reflection along an interface within a microstructure; interference can occur even when the structure itself is orders of magnitude larger than the wavelength of incident light, providing opportunities for exploiting light interference in large microscale structures where it previously has not been examined. The multi-path interference creates distinctive interference signatures that serve as a spectral “fingerprint” of the trajectories light has taken through the structure, and this information will be captured in the form of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function. Any triggers that change the light paths, such as by alterations in refractive index contrast, chemical binding, structural deformation, or reorientation, will alter the interference, and we hypothesize that these changes to the interference will provide an optical sensor readout mechanism. We also hypothesize that interpretation of the reflected interference itself will also yield structural information, providing a potential mechanism for remote measurement of microscale particle geometry, such as required for atmospheric ice and droplet analysis. We thus propose to harness the hyperspectral reflected fingerprint generated through this multi-path interference mechanism as a remote sensing platform to measure and monitor changes in the chemical and physical environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA95502110150XX0
Entities
People
- Lauren D Zarzar
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Pennsylvania State University
- United States Air Force