Imaging in turbid media using quasi-ballistic photons

Gopal, Venkatesh and Mujumdar, Sushil and Ramachandran, Hema and Sood, AK (1999) Imaging in turbid media using quasi-ballistic photons. In: Optics Communications, 170 (4-6). pp. 331-345.

PDF articl.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

We study by means of experiments and Monte Carlo simulations, the scattering of light in random media, to determine the distance up to which photons travel along almost undeviated paths within a scattering medium, and are therefore capable of casting a shadow of an opaque inclusion embedded within the medium. Such photons are isolated by polarisation discrimination wherein the plane of linear polarisation of the input light is continuously rotated and the polarisation preserving component of the emerging light is extracted by means of a Fourier transform. This technique is a software implementation of lock-in detection. We find that images may be recovered to a depth far in excess of that predicted by the diffusion theory of photon propagation. To understand our experimental results, we perform Monte Carlo simulations to model the random walk behaviour of the multiply scattered photons. We present a. new definition of a diffusing photon in terms of the memory of its initial direction of propagation, which we then quantify in terms of an angular correlation function. This redefinition yields the penetration depth of the polarisation preserving photons. Based on these results, we have formulated a model to understand shadow formation in a turbid medium, the predictions of which are in good agreement with our experimental results.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Optics Communications
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier Science.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Physics
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2009 05:08
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:30
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/19778

Actions (login required)

View Item