Scatterer correlation effects on photon transport in dense random media

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Abstract
Optically disordered systems where the number of scatterers per cubic wave length exceeds unity typically exhibit mean-free-path lengths for photon transport longer than those predicted by the cross section given by Mie theory in the independent-scatterer approximation. The effects of spatial correlation among scatterers on photon transport are investigated in dense colloidal latex suspensions. Transport mean-free-path lengths obtained from time-resolved transmission of picosecond laser pulses, from suspensions successively diluted over two decades of scatterer density, are compared to conventional extinction lengths. Correlations introduced into the Mie formalism via a static structure factor based on a hard-core radial distribution function show good agreement with the experimental results.