Coherent backscattering of light by nonlinear scatterers.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Light propagation in disordered media exhibits phenomena like weak localization and coherent backscattering due to interference.
• Nonlinear optical effects can modify light-matter interactions, potentially altering scattering properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically investigate light propagation in disordered media containing nonlinear scatterers.
• To analyze interference effects between reversed multiple scattering paths in the presence of nonlinearity.
• To determine the impact of nonlinear scattering on coherent backscattering enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of light propagation.
• Analysis of interference between multiple scattering paths.
• Calculation of nonlinear backscattering enhancement factor.

Main Results:

• Identified constructive interference between three scattering amplitudes in weakly nonlinear media.
• Demonstrated that nonlinear scattering can lead to enhanced coherent backscattering.
• Showed the nonlinear backscattering enhancement factor can exceed the linear limit of two.

Conclusions:

• Weakly nonlinear scattering significantly influences interference effects in disordered media.
• The nonlinear backscattering enhancement factor provides a key metric for these effects.
• Theoretical predictions suggest novel optical phenomena in nonlinear disordered systems.