Generating random media from limited microstructural information via stochastic optimization

Random media abound in nature and in manmade situations. Examples include p orous media, biological materials, and composite materials. A stochastic op timization technique that we have recently developed to reconstruct realiza tions of random media (given limited microstructural information in the for m of correlation functions) is investigated further, critically assessed, a nd refined. The reconstruction method is based on the minimization of the s um of squared differences between the calculated and reference correlation functions. We examine several examples, including one that has appreciable short-range order, and focus more closely on the kinetics of the evolution process. The method is generally successful in reconstructing or constructi ng random media with target correlation functions, but one must be careful in implementing an earlier proposed time-saving step when treating random m edia possessing significant short-range order. The issue of the uniqueness of the obtained solutions is also discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)06218-0].