Doppler effect's contribution to ultrasonic modulation of multiply scattered coherent light: Monte Carlo modeling

Modulation of light by ultrasound in turbid media is investigated by modified public domain software based on the Monte Carlo algorithm. Apart from the recognized modulation mechanisms, originating in scatterers' displacements and refractive index modulation, an additional mechanism, evolving from Doppler shift during photon scattering, is considered. Comparison of the relative contributions from all three mechanisms to light modulation by ultrasound is performed for different medium scattering properties and ultrasound frequencies. Refractive index modulation remains the strongest mechanism for light modulation by ultrasound, but for high ultrasound frequencies and for large scattering coefficients the Doppler effect can become dominant.