Dynamic Control Of Light Scattering Using Spatial Coherence

The scattering of light is perhaps the most fundamental of optical processes. However, active and dynamic control of the directionality of a scattered light field has until now remained elusive. Here we show that with an easily generated, Bessel-correlated field, this goal can be achieved, at least partially. In particular, the angular distribution of a field scattered by a random spherical particle can be tuned to gradually suppress the forward scattering intensity and even create a conelike scattered field. Our method provides a tool for the dynamic control of scattering patterns, both macroscopically and microscopically.