Characterization of light propagation in milk using a radiative transfer model

摘要

Scattering of light in milk is investigated using a fiber optic system, where a light source and detector are placed in the same plane with a variable separation distance. An algorithm based on an analytical radiative transfer model is developed to simulate the propagation of light in milk, having homogenized fat levels from 0.05 to 3.2 wt% (weight percent). The input parameters to the model include the incident wavelength, refractive index of particles and medium, and particle number and shape. By varying the wavelength a reasonable fit between experimental data and the model can be obtained for lower fat milks. Changing the wavelength compensates for the errors in the other model assumptions particularly those related to particle size distribution. The model is most sensitive to the particle diameter and size distribution and less sensitive to the number and index of refraction of the particles.