Rigorous characterization of time-resolved diffuse spectroscopy systems for measurements of absorption and scattering properties using solid phantoms

Abstract

Two systems for measurements of absorption and scattering properties, based on picosecond-pulse lasers and singlephoton counting detection, were characterized using a detailed protocol. The first system utilizes diode lasers at 660, 785, 910 and 974 nm as light sources. The second employs a Ti:sapphire and a mode-locked dye laser to produce tunable pulses in the range 610 - 1000 nm. Using solid tissue phantoms, the systems were rigorously characterized and compared in terms of absolute accuracy of the measured scattering and absorption coefficients, the linearity over the parameter range, the precision with respect to injected light energy, the stability over time, and the reproducibility of the results. The phantoms were made of epoxy resin with TiO as scatterer and black toner powder as absorber.