A theoretical concept of resonant Rayleigh scattering (RRS) of exciton-pola
ritons in multiple quantum wells (QWs) is presented. The optical coupling b
etween excitons in different QWs can strongly affect the RRS dynamics, givi
ng rise to characteristic temporal oscillations on a picosecond scale. Brag
g and anti-Bragg arranged QW structures with the same excitonic parameters
are predicted to have drastically different RRS spectra. Experimental data
on the RRS from multiple QWs show the predicted strong temporal oscillation
s at small scattering angles, which are well explained by the presented the
ory.