Efficiency of algorithm for solution of vector radiative transfer equation in turbid medium slab

Abstract

The numerical solution of the vectorial radiative transfer equation (VRTE) is possible only by its discretization, which requires elimination of the solution anisotropic part including all the singularities. Discretized VRTE for the turbid medium slab has the unique analytical solution in the matrix form. Modern packages of matrix (linear) algebra allow only one possible algorithm of VRTE solution by computer. Various realizations of such an algorithm differ by the method of the elimination of the solution anisotropic part. Methods of the solution anisotropic part elimination are analysed in the paper. The codes created by the authors of these methods are analysed in simple situations in order to define its influence on the code efficiency. It is shown that the most effective method is based on the small angle modification of the spherical harmonics method (MSH). The code based on MSH is investigated in details by the influence of different properties of hard and software.