Gigan leads the Optical Imaging group at LKB, pioneering wavefront shaping and computational imaging through scattering media. Research directions: (1) Wavefront shaping / transmission matrix — measuring the ~10^5 optical modes of a scattering sample's transmission matrix to focus and image through highly scattering biological tissues; roadmap on deep tissue imaging (J. Phys. Photonics 2022, lead author); (2) Multimode quantum optics through complex media — spatially multimode squeezed states transmitted through scattering media for quantum-enhanced imaging; (3) Optical computing / AI — using multiple scattering as a physical neural network for reservoir computing and nonlinear machine learning (LightOn spin-off, 2016); (4) Neurophotonics applications — focusing through the skull for deep brain imaging. Two ERC grants (2011, 2017). Optica Fellow. IUF member (2016–2021).
Sylvain Gigan's PICO (Photonics, Information, and Complexity) group focuses on imaging through and with complex and scattering media. Research: (1) wavefront shaping through scattering media — adaptive optics and transmission matrix approaches for deep-tissue fluorescence imaging; (2) multimode quantum optics through complex media — pushing quantum light through scattering and multi-mode fibres; (3) analogue computing with random optical scattering media. Key for biosensing: deep tissue imaging at high spatial resolution and quantum-enhanced light manipulation.
Giulia Rubino's research bridges quantum foundations and quantum technologies using integrated photonics. Research: (1) indefinite causal order — experimental demonstration of quantum switch using photonic chips; (2) quantum thermodynamics — fundamental limits of thermodynamic work extraction in quantum systems; (3) quantum information processing with photonic integrated circuits. Appointed Lecturer January 2024.
Sapienza studies light propagation and control in complex/disordered nanophotonic media, using wavefront shaping and transmission-matrix approaches to focus and image through scattering media, with applications to deep-tissue fluorescence imaging and nanophotonic light sources.