A technique that allows real-time imaging through opaque materials and around highly scattering optical diffusers is reported in Nature Photonics this week. The findings could prove valuable for applications such as Earth-based astronomy and deep tissue imaging, both of which are currently hindered by scattering and dense materials.

Yaron Silberberg and co-workers demonstrate a scheme which is based on wavefront shaping, and involves using a spatial light modulator to shape the phase of scattered light such that it refocuses at a desired location. Exploiting the angular range in which a single wavefront pattern inverts scattering allows wide-field real-time imaging to be achieved through a single process.

In contrast with previous wavefront-shaping approaches, this technique does not require a coherent source, interferometric detection, raster scanning or off-line computational reconstruction. Instead, it provides real-time imaging using white light, which is advantageous for realizing practical applications.