The finite element model for the propagation of light in scattering media: A direct method for domains with nonscattering regions

Simon R. Arridge*, Hamid Dehghani, Martin Schweiger, Eiji Okada

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present a method for handling nonscattering regions within diffusing domains. The method develops from an iterative radiosity-diffusion approach using Green's functions that was computationally slow. Here we present an improved implementation using a finite element method (FEM) that is direct. The fundamental idea is to introduce extra equations into the standard diffusion FEM to represent nondiffusive light propagation across a nonscattering region. By appropriate mesh node ordering the computational time is not much greater than for diffusion alone. We compare results from this method with those from a discrete ordinate transport code, and with Monte Carlo calculations. The agreement is very good, and, in addition, our scheme allows us to easily model time-dependent and frequency domain problems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)252-264
Number of pages13
JournalMedical Physics
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2000

Keywords

  • Diffusion
  • Finite element method
  • Light propagation
  • Transport equation
  • Voids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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