Abstract

We report further progress in our experimental demonstration of computer-assisted tunable laser absorption tomography (Laser CT) of biological organisms and samples. This was achieved by coherent detection imaging based on the laser heterodyne detection technique and the projection slice theorem. Its operating principle and simple demonstration have already been published.¹,² Although the idea of optical imaging inside the living body is appealing, strong light scattering by the tissues and other optical distortions create severe practical difficulties. To overcome such a diffuse optical image quality in highly turbid, scattering media, we have proposed and verified, we believe for the first time, the use of the optical heterodyne method utilizing tunable coherent laser beams. It should be stressed that this method possesses both the properties of a highly sensitive receiver and an extremely directional antenna, so that ballistic photons can be detected passing straight through multiple-forward scattering in the tissues and systems.

© 1991 Optical Society of America