Angular dependence of fluorescence from turbid media

Abstract

We perform Monte Carlo light scattering simulations to study the angular distribution of the fluorescence emission from turbid media and compare the results to measured angular distributions from fluorescing white paper samples. The angular distribution of fluorescence emission is significantly depending on the concentration of fluorophores. The simulations show also a dependence on the angle of incidence that is however not as evident in the measurements. A detailed analysis of the factors affecting this angular distribution indicates that it is strongly correlated to the mean depth of the fluorescence process. The findings can find applications in fluorescence spectroscopy and are of particular interest when optimizing the impact of fluorescence on e.g. the appearance of paper as the measured values are angle dependent.