Light Guiding in Biological Tissue due to Scattering

Alwin Kienle and Raimund Hibst
Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 018104 – Published 7 July 2006

Abstract

For a description of light propagation in biological tissue it is usually assumed that tissue is a random medium. We report a pronounced light guiding effect in cubes of human dentin that cannot be described by this standard model. Monte Carlo simulations which consider the microstructure of dentin are performed and successfully compared to experiments. Contrary to explanations so far, we show that light guiding is due to scattering by the tissue’s microstructure. Exploiting this concept, light can be guided in arbitrary directions or locations without involving reflections or wave effects.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 4 January 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.018104

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Alwin Kienle* and Raimund Hibst

  • Institut für Lasertechnologien in der Medizin und Meßtechnik, Helmholtzstraße 12, D-89081 Ulm, Germany

  • *Email address: alwin.kienle@ilm.uni-ulm.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 97, Iss. 1 — 7 July 2006

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×