Advantages of the multiple scattering representation approach to radiation trapping

TL;DR

This paper introduces a stochastic multiple scattering approach to radiation trapping, connecting it with Holstein's method, and emphasizes its educational value for physics students due to its physical insight and computational simplicity.

Contribution

It presents a simple stochastic formulation of the multiple scattering solution for radiation trapping, linking it with Holstein's approach and highlighting its pedagogical advantages.

Findings

Expressions for relaxation parameters, emission yield, and lifetime are provided.

The fundamental mode is interpreted as a relaxed, nonchanging spatial excitation distribution.

The approach is recommended for physics education due to its insight and computational ease.

Abstract

A simple stochastic formulation of the multiple scattering representation solution of the classical linear incoherent trapping problem is presented for a broad audience. A clear connection with the alternative Holstein's solution ansatz is emphasized by the (re)interpretation of the fundamental mode as the one associated with a relaxed nonchanging spatial distribution of excitation. Expressions for overall relaxation parameters (ensemble emission yield and lifetime) as well as time-resolved (decay and spatial distribution) and steady-state quantities (spectra and spatial distribution) are given with the fundamental mode contribution singled out. The multiple scattering representation is advocated for final undergraduate and beginning graduate physics instruction based on physical insight and computation feasibility. This will be illustrated in the following instalment of this contribution.