THE FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD FOR THE PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN SCATTERING MEDIA - BOUNDARY AND SOURCE CONDITIONS

This paper extends our work on applying the Finite Element Method (FEM ) to the propagation of light in tissue. We address herein the topics of boundary conditions and source specification for this method. We de monstrate that a variety of boundary conditions stipulated on the Radi ative Transfer Equation can be implemented in a FEM approach, as well as the specification of a light source by a Neumann condition rather t han an isotropic point source. We compare results for a number of diff erent combinations of boundary and source conditions under FEM, as wel l as the corresponding cases in a Monte Carlo model.