Coherent propagation of waves in dilute random media with weak nonlinearity

Abstract

We develop a diagrammatic theory for transport of waves in dilute disordered media with weak nonlinearity. We first represent the solution of the nonlinear wave equation as a nonlinear Born series. From this, we construct nonlinear ladder and crossed diagrams for the average wave intensity. Then, we sum up the diagrammatic series completely, i.e., nonperturbatively in the strength of the nonlinearity, and thereby obtain integral equations describing both nonlinear diffusive transport and coherent backscattering of the average intensity. As main result, we find that the nonlinearity significantly influences the magnitude of the coherent backscattering effect. Depending on the type of nonlinearity, coherent backscattering is either enhanced or suppressed, as compared to the linear case. © 2009 The American Physical Society.