Optimizing light storage in scattering media with the dwell-time operator

Abstract

We prove that optimal control of light energy storage in disordered media can be reached by wavefront shaping. For this purpose, we build an operator for dwell-times from the scattering matrix, and characterize its full eigenvalue distribution both numerically and analytically in the diffusive regime, where the thickness $L$ of the medium is much larger than the mean free path $\ell$. We show that the distribution has a finite support with a maximal dwell-time larger than the most likely value by a factor $(L/\ell)^2\gg 1 $. This reveals that the highest dwell-time eigenstates deposit more energy than the open channels of the medium. Finally, we show that the dwell-time operator can be used to store energy in resonant targets buried in complex media.