We theoretically and numerically investigate the capabilityof disordered media to enhance the optical path length in dielectric slabsand augment their light absorption efficiency due to scattering. We firstperform a series of Monte Carlo simulations of random walks to determinethe path length distribution in weakly to strongly (single to multiple)scattering, non-absorbing dielectric slabs under normally incident lightand derive analytical expressions for the path length enhancement in thesetwo limits. Quite interestingly, while multiple scattering is expected toproduce long optical paths, we find that media containing a vanishinglysmall amount of scatterers can still provide high path length enhancementsdue to the very long trajectories sustained by total internal reflection at theslab interfaces. The path length distributions are then used to calculate thelight absorption efficiency of media with varying absorption coefficients.We find that maximum absorption enhancement is obtained at an optimalscattering strength, in-between the single-scattering and the diffusive(strong multiple-scattering) regimes. This study can guide experimentaliststowards more efficient and potentially low-cost solutions in photovoltaictechnologies.< Leer menos