A Monte Carlo Approach to Optical Analysis

Abstract

The statistical technique of photon ray tracing, commonly known as the Monte Carlo Method, has been successfully used on numerous radiant transport problems. Because of its simplicity, the method can be applied to complex systems which are otherwise not amenable to a corrveñtional approach such as the solution of integral -differential equations. The primary limitation of the method is the wide ranging complementary techniques necessary in reducing the amount of computations in each analysis. This paper presents such a technique that can be used in the analysis of radiant interchange. Applied to an optical system, the method can be used to solve for image quality, system attenuation, off -axis energy rejection, and thermal radiation heat transfer. Results of three demonstrative examples are also presented.

Monte Carlo ray-trace diffraction based on the Huygens–Fresnel principle

“…The Monte Carlo ray-trace (MCRT) method has long been utilized to model the performance of optical systems in the absence of diffraction and polarization effects. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Heinisch and Chou, [11] and later Likeness, [9] were among the early proponents of treating diffraction in the MCRT environment. However, their approach, which is based on a geometrical interpretation of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, relies on empiricism to obtain adequate agreement with theory.…”

Predicted dynamic electrothermal performance of thermistor bolometer radiometers for Earth radiation budget applications

“…Applications of the Monte Carlo ray-trace method in optics and thermal radiation are widely documented in the literature [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] ; therefore details about the general method are not included here. Briefly, a large number of energy bundles, or rays, are allowed to enter the radiometer through the baffle opening with a desired spatial and spectral distribution.…”