Realistic phase screen model for forward multiple-scattering media

Existing random phase screen (RPS) models for forward multiple-scattering media fail to incorporate ballistic light. In this Letter, we redesign the angular spectrum of the screen by means of Monte Carlo simulation based on an assumption that a single screen should represent all the scattering events a photon experiences between two adjacent screens. Three examples demonstrate that the proposed model exhibits more realistic optical properties than conventional RPS models in terms of attenuation of ballistic light, evolution of beam profile, and angular memory effect. The proposed model also provides the flexibility to balance the computing accuracy, speed, and memory usage by tuning the screen spacing.