Enhanced backscattering of vortex waves from volume scattering media

The effect of phase vortices on the enhanced coherent backscattering from volume scattering media is studied theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results are well described by a theoretical model based on the diffusion approximation corrected for small path lengths contributions. Based on this approach, a self-referencing method for measuring the optical characteristics of a multiple scattering medium can be developed.