Skin remittance kinetics in the spectral range of 550 - 790 nm

An experimental method for remitted photon time-of-flight (PTOF) estimation in human skin in vivo is developed and tested. Remitted light signals are obtained using a picosecond broadband laser and a set of narrowband interference filters cen-tred at 550, 600, 650, 700, 750 and 790 nm. Four different distances of 8, 12, 16 and 20 mm between the source and detector fibres are used. Measurements are performed at different wavelengths and distance combinations. Direct kinetic measurements make it possible to assess the mean photon path length in skin at various spectral regions. Results generally correspond to theoretical expectations; however, no clear dependence on wavelengths in the spectral range 650 - 790 nm is observed. This study shows a promising opportunity to use this kind of measurement system in the future research of PTOF in human skin.