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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Characterization of Biological Absorption Spectra Spanning the Visible to the Short-Wave Infrared
Published on: January 10, 2025
Quantitative measurements of absorption spectra in scattering media by low-coherence spectroscopy
Nienke Bosschaart1, Maurice C G Aalders, Dirk J Faber
1Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22700,NL-1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. n.bosschaart@amc.uva.nl
Abstract:
Low-coherence spectroscopy (LCS) is a spectroscopic method that allows for quantitative and localized assessment of absorption spectra by combining reflection spectroscopy with low-coherence interferometry. We describe absorption coefficient (mu(a)) measurements by LCS in tissue simulating phantoms with varying scattering and absorbing properties. We used LCS in the 455-680 nm wavelength range with a spectral resolution of 8 nm to obtain mu(a) spectra with +/-0.5 mm(-1) accuracy. We conclude that LCS is a promising technique for the in vivo determination of tissue chromophore concentrations.
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