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Updated: May 13, 2026

Highly-Multiplexed Tissue Imaging with Raman Dyes
Published on: April 21, 2022
Penetration of laser light at 808 and 980 nm in bovine tissue samples
Donald E Hudson1, Doreen O Hudson, James M Wininger
1Respond Systems, Inc., Branford, CT 06405, USA. don@respondsystems.com
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to compare the penetration of 808 and 980 nm laser light through bovine tissue samples 18-95 mm thick.
Background Data:
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is frequently used to treat musculoskeletal pathologies. Some of the therapeutic targets are several centimeters deep.
Methods:
Laser light at 808 and 980 nm (1 W/cm(2)) was projected through bovine tissue samples ranging in thickness from 18 to 95 mm. Power density measurements were taken for each wavelength at the various depths.
Results:
For 808 nm, 1 mW/cm(2) was achieved at 3.4 cm, but for 980 nm, 1 mW/cm(2) was achieved at only 2.2 cm depth of tissue.
Conclusions:
It was determined that 808 nm of light penetrates as much as 54% deeper than 980 nm light in bovine tissue.

