Fractal dimension analysis of time-resolved diffusely scattered light from turbid samples

To improve quantification of optical properties in highly scattering and absorbing samples, time-correlated single photon counting measurements were analyzed using quantities related to the correlation dimension. Photon time-of-flight (TOF) distributions were collected in reflection and transmission optical configurations from samples made of cream and water-soluble dye (0 < mu(a) < 0.05 mm(-1); 100 < mu(s) < 250 mm(-1)). It was found that absorption and scattering properties of samples could be accurately quantified from information used to determine the correlation dimension. Scattering coefficients were estimated with less than 4% error for both optical configurations. Absorption estimates were made with CVs of 7.5 and 9.6% for reflection and transmission, respectively. Overall, fractal dimension analysis of TOF distributions provides a simple method of determining the optical properties of a sample.