Three-dimensional radiative transfer using a fourier-transform matrix-operator method

The three-dimensional equation of transfer for a scattering medium with planar geometry is solved by using a spatial Fourier transform and extending matrix-operator techniques developed previously for the one-dimensional equation. Doubling and adding algorithms were derived by means of an interaction principle for computing the fourier-transformed radiation field. The resulting expressions fully describe the radiative transfer process in a scattering medium, inhomogeneous in the x-, y- and z-directions, illuminated from above by an arbitrarily general intensity field and bounded from below by a surface with completely general reflection properties.     

Exact series expansions, recurrence relations, properties and integrals of the generalized exponential integral functions

Generalized exponential integral functions (GEIF) are encountered in multi-dimensional thermal radiative transfer problems in the integral equation kernels. Several series expansions for the first-order generalized exponential integral function, along with a series expansion for the general nth order GEIF, are derived. The convergence issues of these series expansions are investigated numerically as well as theoretically, and a recurrence relation which does not require derivatives of the GEIF is developed. The exact series expansions of the two dimensional cylindrical and/or two-dimensional planar integral kernels as well as their spatial moments have been explicitly derived and compared with numerical values.     

Continuum radiative heat transfer modeling in media consisting of optically distinct components in the limit of geometrical optics

Continuum-scale equations of radiative transfer and corresponding boundary conditions are derived for a general case of a multi-component medium consisting of arbitrary-type, non-isothermal and non-uniform components in the limit of geometrical optics. The link between the discrete and continuum scales is established by volume averaging of the discrete-scale equations of radiative transfer by applying the spatial averaging theorem. Precise definitions of the continuum-scale radiative properties are formulated while accounting for the radiative interactions between the components at their interfaces. Possible applications and simplifications of the presented general equations are discussed.     

Radiative transfer theory with time delay for the effect of pulse entrapping in a resonant random medium: General transfer equation and point-like scatterer model

Abstract

A pulse propagation of a vector electromagnetic wave field in a discrete random medium under the condition of Mie resonant scattering is considered on the basis of the Bethe–Salpeter equation in the two-frequency domain in the form of an exact kinetic equation which takes into account the energy accumulation inside scatterers. The kinetic equation is simplified using the transverse field and far wave zone approximations which give a new general tensor radiative transfer equation with strong time delay by resonant scattering. This new general radiative transfer equation, being specified in terms of the low-density limit and the resonant point-like scatterer model, takes the form of a new tensor radiative transfer equation with three Lorentzian time-delay kernels by resonant scattering. In contrast to the known phenomenological scalar Sobolev equation with one Lorentzian time-delay kernel, the derived radiative transfer equation does take into account effects of (i) the radiation polarization, (ii) the energy accumulation inside scatterers, (iii) the time delay in three terms, namely in terms with the Rayleigh phase tensor, the extinction coefficient and a coefficient of the energy accumulation inside scatterers, respectively (i.e. not only in a term with the Rayleigh phase tensor). It is worth noting that the derived radiative transfer equation is coordinated with Poynting's theorem for non-stationary radiation, unlike the Sobolev equation. The derived radiative transfer equation is applied to study the Compton–Milne effect of a pulse entrapping by its diffuse reflection from the semi-infinite random medium when the pulse, while propagating in the medium, spends most of its time inside scatterers. This specific albedo problem for the derived radiative transfer equation is resolved in scalar approximation using a version of the time-dependent invariance principle. In fact, the scattering function of the diffusely reflected pulse is expressed in terms of a generalized time-dependent Chandrasekhar H-function which satisfies a governing nonlinear integral equation. Simple analytic asymptotics are obtained for the scattering function of the front and the back parts of the diffusely reflected Dirac delta function incident pulse, depending on time, the angle of reflection, the mean free time, the microscopic time delay and a parameter of the energy accumulation inside scatterers. These asymptotics show quantitatively how the rate of increase of the front part and the rate of decrease of the rear part of the diffusely reflected pulse become slower with transition from the regime of conventional radiative transfer to that of pulse entrapping in the resonant random medium.     

Exploiting the linearity of radiative transfer

A standard problem in radiative transfer is finding the external and internal radiative fields produced by uniform, parallel rays illuminating the top of a one-dimensional, scattering and absorbing medium of finite optical thickness. This problem has been solved in several ways with various physical restrictions. One approach is by finding the source function that represents the rate of production of scattered radiation per unit volume per unit solid angle at each point in the medium. The present paper develops and uses the idea that the standard source function is an influence function for a given medium. The linearity of radiative transfer is then used to find certain general source functions in terms of the standard one. The usefulness of the above concept is demonstrated by the following four problems: (1) derivation of Chandrasekhar's four principles of invariance from the radiative transfer equation, (2) derivation of the equations governing Chandrasekhar's X- and Y- functions without using the invariance principles or resolvent kernels, (3) finding the source function for a medium with a Lambert's-law bottom, and (4) finding the source function for a medium with a bottom that is a perfect specular reflector.     

A fundamental-source-function formulation of radiative transfer and the resulting fundamental reciprocity relations

An important problem in radiative transfer is finding the radiative fields produced by various illuminations (both external and internal) of a plane-parallel, inhomogeneous, absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically-scattering finite medium. One approach to a solution is to find the source function, which represents the rate of production of scattered radiation per unit volume and solid angle, at each point in the medium. The present study develops the existence of a Green's function, called the fundamental source function, which separates the optical properties of the medium from the driving illumination. Radiative linearity then allows the representation of all possible source functions as convolutions of the illumination with the fundamental source function. Parametric differentiation (invariant imbedding) is used to replace the governing linear integral equation for the fundamental source function with a set of differential equations appropriate for numerical integration. This approach for finding the fundamental source function leads naturally to the introduction of fundamental scattering and transmission functions. Our inclusion of anisotropic internal illumination (sources) allows us to develop four new reciprocity relations involving these functions. The reciprocity relations state general equivalences between an internally and an externally driven medium and thus greatly reduce the complexity of radiative transfer.     

Analysis of collimated radiation in participating media using the discrete transfer method

A general formulation of the discrete transfer method is provided to analyze radiative heat transfer problems in a participating medium subjected to collimated radiation. The formulation is validated by considering 1-D planar absorbing, emitting and anisotropically scattering gray medium in radiative equilibrium. Anisotropy of the medium is approximated by linear anisotropic phase function. For the purpose of comparison, the problem is also solved analytically. Results are obtained for different angles of incidence of the collimated radiation. At a given angle of incidence, results are obtained for forward, isotropic and backward scattering situations. Heat flux results are compared over a wide range of values of the extinction coefficient. Emissive power distributions in the medium are also obtained for some cases. The discrete transfer method results are found to compare very well with the analytic results.     

Discrete transfer method applied to radiative transfer in a variable refractive index semitransparent medium

Application of the discrete transfer method (DTM) has been extended to the analysis of radiative heat transfer in a variable refractive index participating medium. To validate the DTM formulation, radiative heat transfer in an absorbing, emitting and isotropically scattering planar medium was considered. The participating medium was assumed to be in radiative equilibrium. For both constant and variable refractive indices of the medium, the DTM results were compared with those available in the literature. The DTM was found to provide accurate results.     

Stochastic radiative transfer in a finite plane-parallel medium with general boundary conditions

The time-independent radiative transfer problem in a scattering and absorbing planar random medium with general boundary conditions and internal energy source is considered. The medium is assumed to consist of two randomly mixed immiscible fluids, with the mixing statistics described as a two-state homogeneous Markov process. The problem is solved in terms of the solution of the corresponding free-source problem with simple boundary conditions which is solved using Pomraning-Eddington approximation in the deterministic case. A formalism, developed to treat radiative transfer in statistical mixtures, is used to obtain the ensemble-averaged solution. The average partial heat fluxes are calculated in terms of the albedoes of the source-free problem. Results are obtained for isotropic and anisotropic scattering for specular and diffused reflecting boundaries.     

Radiative energy transfer in a randomly fluctuating medium

The basic laws of the phenomenological theory of radiative energy transfer are derived, under certain conditions, within the framework of the stochastic scalar wave theory. An equation of radiative energy transfer is derived for wave propagation in a statistically quasihomogeneous medium. Our results relate the extinction and scattering coefficients (which are introduced heuristically in the conventional theory of radiative energy transfer) to the stochastic characteristics of the medium.     

Resistance-network representation of radiative heat transfer with particulate scattering

The resistance-network representation for radiative heat transfer is developed for a planar absorbing-scattering medium on the basis of the two-flux model and the linear anisotropic scattering model. Particular attention is given to the scattering effect due to particulates such as flame soot or smoke particles. Limiting relations for various radiative regimes are derived and the physical significance of the resistances are discussed. An illustrative example is presented for thermal radiation from a smoke layer. Extension to two-phase dispersed systems is also demonstrated.     

Finite element approach for radiative transfer in multi-layer graded index cylindrical medium with Fresnel surfaces

Because the optical plane defined by the incidence and reflection direction at a cylindrical surface has a complicated relation with the local azimuthal angle and zenith angle in the traditional cylindrical coordinate system, it is difficult to deal with the specular reflective boundary condition in the solution of the traditional radiative transfer equation for cylindrical system. In this paper, a new radiative transfer equation for graded index medium in cylindrical system (RTEGCN) is derived based on a newly defined cylindrical coordinate system. In this new cylindrical coordinate system, the optical plane defined by the incidence and reflection direction is just the isometric plane of the local azimuthal angle, which facilitates the RTEGCN in dealing with cylindrical specular reflective boundaries. A least squares finite element method (LSFEM) is developed for solving radiative transfer in single and multi-layer cylindrical medium based on the discrete ordinates form of the RTEGCN. For multi-layer cylindrical medium, a radial basis function interpolation method is proposed to couple the radiative intensity at the interface between two adjacent layers. Various radiative transfer problems in both single and multi-layer cylindrical medium are tested. The results show that the present finite element approach has good accuracy to predict the radiative heat transfer in multi-layer cylindrical medium with Fresnel surfaces.     

半透明梯度折射率介质内辐射熵传递方程及其数值模拟

在非相干辐射条件下,基于Planck光谱辐射熵强度定义,导出半透明梯度折射率介质内光谱辐射熵传递方程,以及局部辐射熵产率理论表达式.基于离散坐标法对辐射熵传递方程进行数值求解.以一维半透明梯度介质平板为例,对辐射熵方程及其算法进行验证.平板整体无因次辐射熵产的计算结果与宏观热力学定律的结果一致.     

Heat transfer by radiation and conduction in fibrous media without axial symmetry

Coupled radiative and conductive heat transfer in a fibrous medium formed by silica fibres is investigated in this paper by not taking account of the axial symmetry for the distribution of fibres or the boundary conditions. Radiative properties of the medium are calculated by using the Mie theory. The model obtained depends only on optical parameters (indices of silica) and on morphological parameters (diameter and orientation of the fibres, density of the medium). Simulations make it possible to study the strongly anisotropic behaviour of the scattering of the radiation by a fibre and to study the influence of various parameters on the radiative properties of the medium. The results of the Mie theory make possible the simulation of the heat transfer coupled by radiation and conduction. To do this, we introduce a new numerical scheme able to simulate heat transfer in the lack of axial symmetry. With this model, we can show the effects of distribution of fibres and temperature on the thermal behaviour of the medium as well as showing the importance of the phenomenon of scattering in fibrous media.     

多维梯度折射率介质内辐射传递的扩散近似

推导多维梯度折射率介质内稳态辐射传递的扩散近似方程.使用有限元法对扩散近似进行离散和求解,利用两个二维半透明介质的稳态辐射传递问题验证该扩散近似的精度及适用性.算例考虑介质为均匀折射率及梯度折射率两种情况.利用扩散近似分别求解辐射平衡时的边界热流、介质内温度场分布,并与辐射传递方程的求解结果进行对比分析.结果表明:介质折射率变化、散射特性、光学厚度及散射反照率均直接影响扩散近似的精度;在光学厚及强散射条件下,该扩散近似可以作为一种快速算法应用于梯度折射率介质稳态辐射传递的求解.     

Generalized form of the direct and adjoint radiative transfer equations

The main goal of this paper is to give a rigorous derivation of the generalized form of the direct (also referenced as forward) and adjoint radiative transfer equations. The obtained expressions coincide with expressions derived by Ustinov [Adjoint sensitivity analysis of radiative transfer equation: temperature and gas mixing ratio weighting functions for remote sensing of scattering atmospheres in thermal IR. JQSRT 2001;68:195-211]. However, in contrast to [Ustinov EA. Adjoint sensitivity analysis of radiative transfer equation: temperature and gas mixing ratio weighting functions for remote sensing of scattering atmospheres in thermal IR. JQSRT 2001;68:195-211] we formulate the generalized form of the direct radiative transfer operator fully independent from its adjoint. To illustrate the application of the derived adjoint radiative transfer operator we consider the angular interpolation problem in the framework of the discrete ordinate method widely used to solve the radiative transfer equation. It is shown that under certain conditions the usage of the solution of the adjoint radiative transfer equation for the angular interpolation of the intensity can be computationally more efficient than the commonly used source function integration technique.     

Numerical results for the thermal scattering functions

A recent formulation in radiative transfer defined the thermal scattering functions that characterize radiative transfer from a general, plane-parallel, finite medium driven solely by an internal distribution of thermal sources. Exiting diffuse intensities are expressed as space convolutions of the thermal scattering functions with any thermal source distribution. A parametric study is presented to obtain the basic structure of these scattering functions. The independent variables of these azimuthally independent functions are the direction consine μ and source location t, while the parameters are the single scattering albedo ω, total optical depth t₀, and the asymmetry factor g in the Henyey-Greenstein phase function. The basic functional trends are discussed using various parametric plots, and selected tabular results are given to allow numerical checks. The computational method is invariant imbedding. As a particular application, these functions are used in the following companion paper to obtain exiting intensities from inhomogeneous and nonisothermal media.     

Heat Transfer in a Semitransparent Medium

The problem of 1D radiative-conductive heat transfer in a homogeneous isotropic gray medium near a planar diffuse nontransparent surface and in between parallel plates with different temperatures has been solved analytically. Nonconvective measurements of the thermal resistance of parallel-plane polyethylene foam specimens versus the number of layers (i.e., thickness) have been taken, both without and with thin screens made of aluminum foil. The applicability of the suggested theoretical approach and experimental technique for the measurement of radiative heat transfer and heat transfer by conduction in light heat-protective materials has been demonstrated.

     

Radiation transfer by a finite-emitting inhomogeneous medium

A functional relation is obtained between radiative transfer in an inhomogeneous finite planar layer with an internal energy source and diffuse reflection. The intensity is derived for the emerging radiation of a polynomial energy source. We use Padé approximants to calculate the emitted intensity for a linear energy source when the single scattering albedo decreases exponentially with optical depth. Numerical results are given for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous media.     

Comparison of radiative transfer approximations for a highly forward scattering planar medium

We examine critically the accuracy of the two-flux, spherical harmonics and discrete ordinates methods for predicting radiative transfer in a planar, highly-forward scattering and absorbing medium. Numerical results for the radiative fluxes show that the two-flux and P₃-approximations yield accurate results compared to solutions based on the F_N-method. Indeed, these approximate methods are relatively simple and have potential for generalization to predict radiative transfer in multidimensional systems, as long as an appropriate simplification of the phase function is utilized.