OPTICAL IMAGING THROUGH HIGHLY SCATTERING MEDIA BY USE OF HETERODYNE-DETECTION IN THE 1.3-MU-M WAVELENGTH REGION

Optical imaging through highly scattering media was studied in the 1.3 -mu m wavelength region by use of a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser and a n optical heterodyne detection technique. We measured and compared the extinction coefficients of the fat emulsion Intralipid-lO% at 0.80, 1 .064, and 1.319 mu m and demonstrated that the low scattering at 1.319 mu m will permit optical imaging through highly scattering media, whi ch otherwise may not be achieved. A possible use of water absorption a t 1.319 mu m to image the interior structure of biological tissues is also presented and discussed.