Reflection Measurement of the Scattering Mean Free Path at the Onset of Multiple Scattering

Phys Rev Lett. 2024 Oct 25;133(17):176301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.176301.

Abstract

Multiple scattering of waves presents challenges for imaging complex media but offers potential for their characterization. Its onset is actually governed by the scattering mean free path ℓ_{s} that provides crucial information on the medium microarchitecture. Here, we introduce a reflection matrix method designed to estimate this parameter from the time decay of the single scattering rate. Our method is first validated by an ultrasound experiment on a tissue-mimicking phantom before being applied in vivo to a human liver. This Letter opens important perspectives for quantitative imaging of heterogeneous media with waves, whether it be for nondestructive testing, biomedical, or geophysical applications.