Self-reference method for measuring the transmission matrices of scattering media.

A significant approach for manipulating light propagation through scattering media consists of the measurement of transmission matrices (TMs). Here we propose a TM-measurement method with high stability and universal applicability, which we call the self-reference method. This method uses a new, to the best of our knowledge, way to perform holographic measurement, where the reference light is superimposed directly to the signal light. This method does not pose any restriction on the signal light, so it is applicable to nearly all types of input bases. The effectivity of this method in accurately measuring the TM is verified by experimentally achieving high-quality light focusing through a scattering medium. We believe that the self-reference method provides an ideal way for TM measurement and wavefront shaping, which will be of great significance to imaging and communication technologies in scattering environments.