Identification of appropriate source models for accurate diffusion modeling of radiative transfer in a non-absorbing foam layer

The diffusion approximation is used to model the propagation of radiation scattered from a pulsed laser beam incident on a non-absorbing foam layer. Various mathematical models for the source term are considered, and integral transforms are used to solve the differential equation. Comparison of the calculated reflectance profiles with the results of Monte Carlo simulations indicates that careful selection of the source model leads to improved results. Diffusion theory source models which provide accurate predictions for radiative transfer and the limits on their accuracy are identified.