Consequences of scattering for spectral imaging of turbid biologic tissue

Spectral imaging permits two-dimensional mapping of the backscattering properties of biological systems. Such mapping requires broadband illumination of the entire area of interest. However, imaging of turbid biological media under these conditions often involves mean photon path lengths that exceed the pixel size. Using a numerical Monte Carlo model, we have studied the effects of photon scattering in a hemoglobin-bearing model system. We find that photon migration and the resulting wavelength-dependent optical coupling between pixels can complicate the analysis of imaging spectroscopy data. In fact, the wavelength dependence of photon trajectories also alters the distribution of photon exit angles at the tissue surface. We therefore find that the finite optical field of view of an imaging spectrometer can affect the measured spectra in the absence of chromatic aberrations.