Enhanced backscattering of s- and p-polarized light from particles above a substrate

Abstract : We consider the scattering of light by a system of randomly distributed particles above an interface. It is shown that this system can produce backscattering enhancement even for a very dilute system such that multiple scattering is negligible. A physical mechanisms is proposed and the role of the Fresnel reflectivity of the interface is examined. Differences between the behavior of s and p-polarization are considered.