Theoretical study of the coherent backscattering of light by disordered media

Abstract

A theoretical study of the coherent backscattering effect of light from disordered semi-inifinite media is presented for various situations including time-dependent effects as well as absorption and amplitude modulation. Particular attention is devoted to the case of anisotropic scattering and to polarization in order to explain quantitatively experimental results. A microscopic derivation of the coherent albedo is given which strongly supports the heuristic formula previously established. In addition the coherent albedo of a fractal system is predicted. The validity of the different approximations used are discussed and some further theoretical developments are presented On inclut les effets dependant du temps, les milieux absorbants et les effets lies a la modulation d'amplitude de la lumiere