Time-resolved experiments on light diffusion in anisotropic random media

Multiple light scattering in isotropic and anisotropic media is studied experimentally with an optical gating technique, as commonly used in fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental setup permits an accurate analysis of the propagation of a short light pulse through disordered or partially ordered media. The diffusion constant of some isotropic systems is reported, and the anisotropy in the diffusion constant for light diffusion through liquid crystals is observed. For the time-resolved data, good agreement with diffusion theory is found in all cases, including the liquid crystal in the nematic phase.