Photon transport modeling

Definition: Photon transport modeling refers to the modeling or simulation of movement of a photon through tissue. In the case of fNIRS, we are modeling the propagation of photons as they pass from the source through the different tissues in the head model to the detector which can be used to created a sensitivity profile (jacobian) that can be used to create 3D voxel-based image reconstruction of the fNIRS data. For these applications, photon transport modeling is often performed with Monte Carlo methods, which can be performed quicker using graphics processing unit (GPU) technologies. In a photon transport model, a large number of photon packets are launched, the step size is selected, and as it passes through the medium undergoing multiple scattering events. The packets lose weight due to absorption in the tissue. Thus, scattering and absorption properties of the tissue are required to estimate photon transport, as well as the wavelength of the fNIRS device.

Alternative definition:

Synonym: photon migration simulation

References:

https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-2607(95)01640-F

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.7.1.015008

Related terms: Photon transport