BIM 258 Fall 2018

Homework 8 (Out 11.26.18, Due 12.12.18)

1. Comparison of Monte Carlo Simulation of Radiative Transport Equation with Diusion

Equation In this problem you will compare the reectance computed by both diusion theory and
the Monte Carlo method. Asume you have a pencil beam at normal incidence on a semi-innite
medium
p with the parameters shown below, where a cylindrical coordinate system (ρ, p φ, z) with
ρ = x2 + y 2 is assumed. Note that if r is the distance from the origin in 3-D, then r = ρ2 + z 2 .
Reectance is dened as Rd (ρ) = −Jz (~r)|z=0 = D ∂φ(~∂z |z=0 where φ(~
r)
r) is uence rate solution
for the time-independent diusion equation.

A) Solution based on diusion approximation to the radiative transport equation: Referring to

the gure above, determine the reectance expression for the diusion equation at z = 0, as a
function of ρ, for the three cases shown below:

i) replace the pencil beam with a point source with unit strength located at ρ = 0 and z = M F P 0
in the medium, i.e. s(~r) = δ(x)δ(y)δ(z − M F P 0 )

ii) Modify the solution in part i) to include an image charge such that the uence is zero at
the physical medium boundary (z = 0), i.e. s(~r) = δ(x)δ(y)δ(z − M F P 0 ) − δ(x)δ(y)δ(z + M F P 0 )

iii) Modify the solution in part i) to include an image charge such that the uence is zero
at the extrapolated boundary located zb = 6D = µ20s = 2M F P 0 above the physical boundary, i.e.
s(~r) = δ(x)δ(y)δ(z − M F P 0 ) − δ(x)δ(y)δ(z + 2zb + M F P 0 )

B) Exact solution to the radiative transport equation: Use your favorite Monte Carlo program
for photon migration to determine Rd (ρ). If you don't have one, a pre-compiled Monte Carlo
Program is available from http://omlc.org/software/mc/ along with a manual that explains
its use. To make this even easier, here is a Matlab script that interfaces with the executable and
ASCII les:
http://www.atomic.physics.lu.se/biophotonics/education/courses/medical-optics-faf150/
laboratory-and-computer-exercises/. Both have been also uploaded in a zip le.

Specify the inputs you choose for running the Monte Carlo program. Note: You will need to give
careful thought to the number of photons and the thickness for your simulations. Pay attention
to units!

C) Plot all 4 solutions (Ai, Aii, Aiii, and B) together on the same graph with a legend. Again,
you will need to pay attention to units. Comment on which diusion equation solution from A
best agrees with the Monte Carlo solution. Also comment on the range of validity (in terms of
distance from the source) of the approximations made in the diusion equation solutions.
2. Calculation of scattering anisotropy Calculate scattering anisotropy, g, for both 1) the Mie
solution for a sphere for perpendicular polarization and 2) the Born approximation for nrel = 1.01
or 1.1, an incident wavelength (adjusted for the medium) of λ0 = 0.5µm, and a sphere radius of
a = 1 or 10µm. You should generate 2 g values for each of 4 dierent combinations of nrel and
a (thus a total of 8 g values). Discuss your results in terms of the range of validity of the Born
approximation.