Lateral light scattering in fibrous media

Abstract

Abstract:Lateral light scattering in fibrous media is investigated by computing the modulation transfer function (MTF) of 22 paper samples using a Monte Carlo model. The simulation tool uses phase functions from infinitely long homogenous cylinders and the directional inhomogeneity of paper is achieved by aligning the cylinders in the plane. The inverse frequency at half maximum of the MTF is compared to both measurements and previous simulations with isotropic and strongly forward single scattering phase functions. It is found that the conical scattering by cylinders enhances the lateral scattering and therefore predicts a larger extent of lateral light scattering than models using rotationally invariant single scattering phase functions. However, it does not fully reach the levels of lateral scattering observed in measurements. It is argued that the hollow lumen of a wood fiber or dependent scattering effects must be considered for a complete description of lateral light scattering in paper.

Full-wave analysis of the scattering of a pulsed light beam by dielectric cylinders embedded in a homogeneous medium

“…In several cases of notable interest in the optical domain, the capability of an accurate modelling of scattering by cylindrical dielectric objects is a tool that can give important support to the understanding of the behaviour of a phenomenon or the clarification of the internal structure of a complex system. Scattering by cylinders has in fact applications in the analysis of radiative properties and radiation energy transport through fiber materials [1,2]. In the time-domain diagnostics through pulsed sources, the time-offlight information in the scattered field allows to determine the internal structure of the tissue.…”