Coherent backscattering of light in a magnetic field

Abstract

This paper describes how coherent backscattering is altered by an external magnetic field. In the theory presented, magneto-optical effects occur inside Mie scatterers embedded in a nonmagnetic medium. Unlike previous theories based on pointlike scatterers, the decrease of coherent backscattering is obtained in a leading order of the magnetic field using rigorous Mie theory. This decrease is strongly enhanced in the proximity of resonances, which cause the path length of the wave inside a scatterer to be increased. Also presented is an analysis of the shape of the backscattering cone in a magnetic field.