Depolarization effects of the enhanced retroreflectance from a dense distribution of spherical particles

Abstract

Enhanced backscattering has been observed for many surfaces, but a conclusive explanation of its physical mechanisms is lacking, and it cannot be explained by the radiative-transfer theory. In our previous papers [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 1, 831, 836 ( 1984)], we proposed that the enhancement is caused by multiple-scattering effects. If this were true, cross polarization would also be present. In this paper, we present the experimental results on cross-polarized enhanced backscattering from a dense distribution of spherical particles in support of our multiple-scattering theory. It is noted, however, that some solid surfaces appear to exhibit no cross polarization.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

Retroreflectance from a dense distribution of spherical particles

Yasuo Kuga and Akira Ishimaru
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 1(8) 831-835 (1984)

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A. Dogariu, C. Kutsche, P. Likamwa, G. Boreman, and B. Moudgil
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Backscattering enhancement by randomly distributed very large particles

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