Numerical simulation of coherent backscattering and temporal intensity correlations in random media

A review of studies on the numerical simulation of coherent effects in random media performed by using exact analytic results is presented. The simulation procedure is based on a comparison of the Monte-Carlo method and the iteration solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation. The results of calculations of the time correlation function and the interference component of coherent backscattering for scalar and electromagnetic fields are described. The simulation results are compared for the first time with known generalisations of the Milne solution and are in good agreement with experimental data. The interference component of backscattered low-coherent radiation is calculated for the first time. The localisation of backscattered low-coherent laser radiation along the penetration depth is described. The theory and numerical simulation predict, in accordance with the experiment, a considerable broadening of the backscattering peak with decreasing the coherence length, which opens up essentially new possibilities for the use of this effect, especially for medical diagnostics. (special issue devoted to multiple radiation scattering in random media)