Abstract

Knowledge of the optical properties of turbid media such as human skin is important for selection of the optimal dosimetry in many laser dermatological therapies. For example, knowledge of the relevant light fluence distribution in skin is especially important for therapies involving the combined application of laser heating and surface cooling.¹,²,³ We present a technique using pulsed infrared tomography⁴,⁵ to estimate the optical properties of homogenous absorbing and scattering media; the more difficult problem corresponding to inhomogeneous media is not analyzed.

© 1997 Optical Society of America