Coherent control of total transmission of light through disordered media

We demonstrate order of magnitude coherent control of total transmission of light through random media by shaping the wavefront of the input light. To understand how the finite illumination area on a wide slab affects the maximum values of total transmission, we develop a model based on random matrix theory that reveals the role of long-range correlations. Its predictions are confirmed by numerical simulations and provide physical insight into the experimental results.