Obtaining optical properties using Representative Layer Theory*

Reliable and minimally invasive methods for diagnosis of toxicity and onset of disease are important for advances in clinical practices. This is commonly achieved through the optical properties, such as a change in the absorption or scattering strength of the diseased tissue. Thus, being able to quantitatively characterize these changes is important to advancements in medical diagnostic methods. By adapting the Representative Layer Theory to the integrating sphere technique, very thin biological samples may be optically characterized, yielding a quick and easy method for monitoring optical changes as a function of disease progression. Samples, consisting of cells, dyes, and nanoparticles of known concentrations were optically characterized at multiple wavelengths. Optical properties obtained by the Representative Layer Theory are compared to those obtained through other methods, such as Kubelka-Munk and Inverse Adding Doubling which are known to have sample thickness limitations.