Coherent multiple scattering of light in (2+1) dimensions (1805.01740v2)

Abstract: We formulate a multiple scattering theory of light in media spatially disordered along two directions and homogeneous along the third one, without making any paraxial approximation on the wave equation and fully treating the vector character of light. With this formalism, we calculate the distribution of transverse momenta of a beam as it evolves along the optical axis, and unveil a phenomenon not captured by the paraxial equation: a cross-over from a scalar to a vector regime, visible in the coherent backscattering peak as polarization gets randomized.