Depolarization of backscattered linearly polarized light

We formulate a quantitative description of backscattered linearly polarized light using an extended photon diffusion formalism taking explicitly into account the scattering anisotropy parameter g of the medium. From diffusing wave spectroscopy measurements the characteristic depolarization length for linearly polarized light is deduced. We investigate the dependance of this length on the scattering anisotropy parameter g spanning an extended range from -1 (backscattering) to 1 (forward scattering). Good agreement is found with Monte Carlo simulations of multiply scattered light.