Bio-optics
The study of light interaction with biological tissues and the development of optical diagnostic and therapeutic instruments.
Governing formula
Radiative Transport Equation (RTE) in Turbid Tissues
SI unit
Scattering Coefficient μ_s (cm⁻¹) & Absorption μ_a (cm⁻¹)
In depth
Investigates light absorption by tissue chromophores, elastic Mie/Rayleigh scattering in turbid biological media, and fluorescence. Enables optical coherence tomography (OCT) and near-infrared tissue spectroscopy.
Examples in the real world
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) acquiring micron-resolution cross-sectional images of the human retina.