Multiple-source optical diffusion approximation for a multilayer scattering medium.

A method for improving the accuracy of the optical diffusion theory for a multilayer scattering medium is presented. An infinitesimally narrow incident light beam is replaced by multiple isotropic point sources of different strengths that are placed in the scattering medium along the incident beam. The multiple sources are then used to develop a multilayer diffusion theory. Diffuse reflectance is then computed using the multilayer diffusion theory and compared with accurate data computed by the Monte Carlo method. This multisource method is found to be significantly more accurate than the previous single-source method.