Optical properties of human skin in the near infrared wavelength range of 1000 to 2200 nm

In this paper we present the absorption coefficient mu (a) and the isotropi c scattering coefficient mu ' (s) for 22 human skin samples measured using a double integrating sphere apparatus in the wavelength range of 1000-2200 nm. These in vitro results show that values for mu (a) follow 70% of the ab sorption coefficient of water and values for mu ' (s) range from 3 to 16 cm (-1) From the measured optical properties, it was found that a 2% Intralipi d solution provides a suitable skin tissue phantom. (C) 2001 Society of Pho to-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.