UCLA researchers develop interleaved diffractive networks for optical information transfer

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have unveiled a breakthrough in optical information transfer through random diffusers. Published on July 2, 2026, in Laser & Photonics Reviews, this innovative approach utilizes interleaved diffractive networks to tackle the significant challenges posed by random scattering media in fields like biomedical imaging, telecommunications, and remote sensing.

Understanding Interleaved Diffractive Networks

The transmission of optical information through turbid or diffusive mediums, such as biological tissue, often leads to severe distortion of the original image. To address this, UCLA's research team introduced a cascaded diffractive optical network composed of passive, spatially structured layers that are interleaved within the scattering medium. This configuration allows for optimized diffractive layers to reshape the optical field and mitigate the effects of scattering.

By embedding these layers throughout the scattering volume, the system enhances the recovery of object information after it has passed through random and unknown diffusers. The performance of this all-optical architecture is influenced by critical physical parameters, including the depth of the diffractive processor and the spatial arrangement of its layers.

Hybrid Optical-Digital System for Enhanced Image Recovery

In addition to the interleaved diffractive networks, the research team developed a hybrid optical-digital system. This design combines the passive diffractive processor with a jointly trained digital neural network, resulting in improved information recovery even under conditions of unknown random rotations, shifts, and scaling. This adaptability demonstrates the method's effectiveness in real-world imaging scenarios.

“By embedding trained diffractive layers inside a scattering medium, we can use light propagation itself as part of the information recovery and image reconstruction pipeline,” stated Prof. Aydogan Ozcan.

Visible-Light Testing and Future Applications

The UCLA team conducted experiments using a fabricated multilayer diffractive system operating in the visible spectrum to validate their approach. These tests successfully demonstrated the reliable recovery of optical information through random diffuser layers, indicating the feasibility of implementing interleaved diffractive processors as physical information recovery systems.

This research points to promising new directions for optical computing and imaging through random scattering media. By integrating passive diffractive computation within a random medium, interleaved diffractive networks transform scattering from a barrier into a viable component of the optical information-processing architecture. Potential applications include advancements in biomedical imaging, remote sensing, and optical communications.