title: Closed-form solution of the steady-state photon diffusion equation in the presence of absorbing inclusions.
abstract: We have developed a theoretical model for photon migration through scattering media in the presence of an absorbing inhomogeneity. A closed-form solution for the average diffuse intensity has been obtained through an iterative approximation scheme of the steady-state diffusion equation. The model describes absorbing defects in a wide range of values. Comparisons with the results of Monte Carlo simulations show that the error of the model is lower than 3% for size inclusion lower than 4 mm and absorption contrast up to the threshold value of the "black defect." The proposed model provides a tractable mathematical basis for diffuse optical and photoacoustic tomographic reconstruction techniques.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Nicola
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D004058:Diffusion; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D017785:Photons; D012542:Scattering, Radiation