GPU-Accelerated Monte Carlo Simulation and Experimental Study of Radiative Transfer in Multiple Scattering Media

TL;DR

This paper introduces a GPU-accelerated Monte Carlo model using rigorous Mie scattering theory to improve the accuracy of simulating light scattering in complex media, validated through experiments with microspheres.

Contribution

It replaces the H-G phase function with Mie scattering in a GPU-accelerated Monte Carlo framework, enabling more precise modeling of multiple scattering effects in complex media.

Findings

Mie-based phase functions outperform H-G approximation in accuracy

GPU acceleration significantly reduces simulation time

Experimental validation confirms model reliability

Abstract

Addressing the problem of photon multiple scattering interference caused by turbid media in optical measurements, biomedical imaging, environmental monitoring and other fields, existing Monte Carlo light scattering simulations widely adopt the Henyey-Greenstein (H-G) phase function approximation model. However, traditional computational resource limitations and high numerical complexity have constrained the application of precise scattering models. Moreover, the single-parameter anisotropy factor assumption neglects higher-order scattering effects and backscattering intensity, failing to accurately characterize the multi-order scattering properties of complex media. To address these issues, we propose a GPU-accelerated Monte Carlo-Rigorous Mie scattering transport model for complex scattering environments. The model employs rigorous Mie scattering theory to replace the H-G approximation, achieving efficient parallel processing of phase function sampling and complex scattering processes through pre-computed cumulative distribution function optimization and deep integration with CUDA parallel architecture. To validate the model accuracy, a standard scattering experimental platform based on 5{\mu}m polystyrene microspheres was established, with multiple optical depth experimental conditions designed, and spatial registration techniques employed to achieve precise alignment between simulation and experimental images. The research results quantitatively demonstrate the systematic accuracy advantages of rigorous Mie scattering phase functions over H-G approximation in simulating lateral scattering light intensity distributions, providing reliable theoretical foundations and technical support for high-precision optical applications in complex scattering environments.