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 isotropic 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 absorption 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% Intralipid solution provides a suitable skin tissue phantom. (C) 2001 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.