Monte Carlo simulations of the diffuse backscattering Mueller matrix for highly scattering media

We have developed a Monte Carlo algorithm that computes all two-dimensional elements of the diffuse backscattering Mueller matrix for highly scattering media. Using the Stokes-Mueller formalism and scattering amplitudes calculated with Mie theory, we are able to consider polarization-dependent photon propagation in highly scattering media, including linearly and circularly polarized light. The numerically determined matrix elements are compared with experimental data for different particle sizes and show good agreement in both azimuthal and radial direction. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.