Role of approximate phase functions in Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation in tissues

We examine the phase function dependence of Monte Carlo simulation for light propagation in biomedical tissues. Two discrete particle tissue models are considered. The model phase functions can be obtained using the Mie theory. Dependence on various approximate phase functions is then examined for fluence, angular variation of diffuse reflectance and diffuse transmittance and their average values. The diffuse reflectance as a function of source–detector separation is also examined. The tissue parameters varied are the thickness and the constituent particle size and concentration. The results of this study place the use of the Henyey–Greenstein phase function on a firmer footing.