Coherent wave backscattering by random medium. Exact solution of the albedo problem

Abstract

We study the effect of coherent wave backscattering by a system of point-like scatterers. An exact solution of the albedo problem is found both for a semi-finite medium and for a random slab. It is shown that in the cases considered the diffusion approximation breaks down rapidly when oblique incidence and finite slab thickness are taken into account. It is determined that the intensity of the coherent peak tails falls off as 1 θ , where θ is the angle between backscattering and observation directions.