THEORETICAL-ANALYSIS OF POLARIZATION PATTERNS FROM INCOHERENT BACKSCATTERING OF LIGHT

Anisotropy in the polarization of the backscattered light from a polar ized laser beam incident upon a scattering medium has been observed ex perimentally. When the beam is viewed through an oriented polarizer, c haracteristic patterns in the backscattered light are observed. We pre sent here a simple explanation of these patterns, using the theory of incoherent scattering of light by spheres. It appears that the major c ontribution to the observed patterns comes from the double scattering of light. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.