Abstract
Coherent backscattering of waves by a disordered scattering medium is responsible for weak localization. We have directly observed this effect for the first time using visible light and concentrated aqueous suspensions of submicron-size polystyrene spheres. The scattered intensity is found enhanced by up to 75% within a narrow cone centered at the backscattering direction. As predicted by theory, the aperture of the cone is inversely proportional to the light mean-free path; the latter was controlled by the concentration of spheres. The importance of light polarization and particle size is discussed.
Keywords
Coherent backscatteringMean free pathPhysicsWeak localizationScatteringSPHERESPhotonPolarization (electrochemistry)OpticsLight coneLight scatteringMolecular physicsQuantum mechanicsChemistry
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1985
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 24
- Pages
- 2696-2699
- Citations
- 1263
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
P. E. Wolf,
G. Maret
(1985).
Weak Localization and Coherent Backscattering of Photons in Disordered Media.
Physical Review Letters
, 55
(24)
, 2696-2699.
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.55.2696
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1103/physrevlett.55.2696