NewsEtc

Dec., 1998
Steven Jacques
Oregon Medical Laser Center

Monte Carlo:Photon hops to new position


The photon takes a step of variable length determined by sampling the exponential probability density function for the stepsize (s) of movement before the photon interacts with the tissue by the combination of absorption and scattering:

p(s) = µtexp(-µts)

whose average value is s = 1/µt where µt = µa + µs. A random number (rnd) is specified and used to sample p(s):

s = -log(rnd)/(mua + mus);

The current position (x, y, z) is updated by the projections of s onto each of the x, y, and z axes. For example, x += s * us means x = x + s*us.

/**** HOP
   Take step to new position
   s = stepsize
   ux, uy, uz specify current photon trajectory
*****/
  while ((rnd = RandomNum) < = 0.0);   /* yields 0 < rnd < = 1 */
  s = -log(rnd)/(mua + mus);          /* Step size.  Note: log() is base e */
  x += s * ux;                        /* Update positions. */
  y += s * uy;
  z += s * uz;

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© 1998, Steven L. Jacques & Scott A. Prahl