An application of the K-integrals for solving the radiative transfer equation with Fresnel boundary conditions

We introduce the reader to an approximate method of solving the transport equation which was developed in the context of neutron thermalisation by Kladnik and Kuscer in 1962 [Kladnik R, Kuscer I. Velocity dependent Milne's problem. Nucl Sci Eng 1962; 13:149]. Essentially the method is based upon two special weighted integrals of the one-dimensional transport equation which are valid regardless of the boundary conditions, and any solution must satisfy these integral relationships which are called the K-integrals. To obtain an approximate solution to the transport equation we turn the argument around and insist that any approximate solution must also satisfy the K-integrals. These integrals are particularly useful when the problem under consideration cannot be solved easily by analytic methods. It also has the marked advantage of being applicable to problems where there is energy exchange in a collision and anisotropy of scattering. To establish the feasibility of the method we obtain a number of approximate solutions using the K-integral method for problems to which we have exact analytical solutions. This enables us to validate the method. It is then applied to a new problem that has not yet been solved; namely the calculation of the discontinuity in the scalar intensity at the boundary between two optically dissimilar materials. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.