Experimental Validation of a Monte Carlo Procedure for the Evaluation of the Effect of a Turbid Medium on the Point Spread Function of an Optical System

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Abstract
The presence of particulate matter interposed between the object and the receiver affects the quality of the image produced by an optical system. This paper presents the results of measurements pertaining to the effect of a turbid medium on the point spread function of an optical system. The results refer to transmitted received power measurements obtained in controlled laboratory experiments. A random distribution of polystyrene microspheres suspended in water constituted the investigated turbid medium. Measurements were carried out for particulate with diameters of 0·33 μm, 0·995 μm, 15·7 μm at a wavelength of 0·6328 μm and for different values of sphere concentration in water. The measured data are favourably compared with results obtained by means of a Monte Carlo based numerical method. This numerical procedure allows us to obtain the point spread function and the modulation transfer function (MTF) of an optical system when a turbid medium is present. Examples of calculated MTFs that refer to the three kinds of spheres used in the measurements are presented.