Jianchun Mei

Determination of continuous complex refractive index dispersion of biotissue based on internal reflection

Abstract. The complex refractive index dispersion (CRID), which contains the information on the refractive index dispersion and extinction coefficient spectra, is an important optical parameter of biotissue. However, it is hard to perform the CRID measurement on biotissues due to their high scattering property. Continuous CRID measurement based on internal reflection (CCRIDM-IR) is introduced. By using a lab-made apparatus, internal reflectance spectra of biotissue samples at multiple incident angles were detected, from which the continuous CRIDs were calculated based on the Fresnel formula. Results showed that in 400- to 750-nm range, hemoglobin solution has complicated dispersion and extinction coefficient spectra, while other biotissues have normal dispersion properties, and their extinction coefficients do not vary much with different wavelengths. The normal dispersion can be accurately described by several coefficients of dispersion equations (Cauchy equation, Cornu equation, and Conrady equation). To our knowledge, this is the first time that the continuous CRID of scattering biotissue over a continuous spectral region is measured, and we hereby have proven that CCRIDM-IR is a good method for continuous CRID research of biotissue.

Measurement of the refractive index of hemoglobin solutions for a continuous spectral region.

Determination of the refractive index of hemoglobin solutions over a wide wavelength range remains challenging. A famous detour approach is the Kramers-Kronig (KK) analysis which can resolve the real part of complex refractive index from the imaginary part. However, KK analysis is limited by the contradiction between the requirement of semi-infinite frequency range and limited measured range. In this paper, based on the Multi-curve fitting method (MFM), continuous refractive index dispersion (CRID) of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin solutions are measured using a homemade symmetrical arm-linked apparatus in the continuous wavelength range with spectral resolution of about 0.259nm. A novel method to obtain the CRID is proposed.

Scanning focused refractive-index microscopy.

We present a novel scanning focused refractive-index microscopy (SFRIM) technique to obtain the refractive index (RI) profiles of objects. The method uses a focused laser as the light source, and combines the derivative total reflection method (DTRM), projection magnification, and scanning technique together. SFRIM is able to determine RIs with an accuracy of 0.002, and the central spatial resolution achieved is 1 µm, which is smaller than the size of the focal spot. The results of measurements carried out on cedar oil and a gradient-refractive-index (GRIN) lens agree well with theoretical expectations, verifying the accuracy of SFRIM. Furthermore, using SFRIM, to the best of our knowledge we have extracted for the first time the RI profile of a periodically modulated photosensitive gelatin sample. SFRIM is the first RI profile-resolved reflected light microscopy technique that can be applied to scattering and absorbing samples. SFRIM enables the possibility of performing RI profile measurements in a variety of applications, including optical waveguides, photosensitive materials and devices, photorefractive effect studies, and RI imaging in biomedical fields.

Continuous refractive index dispersion measurement based on derivative total reflection method

Traditionally, continuous refractive index dispersion (CRID) measurement of materials with scattering is hard to realize. In this paper, CRID measurement based on the derivative total reflection method (CRIDM-DTRM) is proposed to measure the CRID of both absorption and scattering materials. It effectively determined the CRID of K9 glass, concentrated milk, and 0.5% methyl red solution in the 400-750 nm range with the spectral resolution of about 0.259 nm. For the first time, CRID of a scattering material is measured. CRIDM-DTRM is a useful technique in the field of RID measurement, especially for biotissues and anomalous dispersion materials.

Study on the refractive index matching effect of ultrasound on optical clearing of bio-tissues based on the derivative total reflection method

In recent years, the tissue optical clearing (OC) technique in the biomedicine field has drawn lots of attention. Various physical and chemical methods have been introduced to improve the efficacy of OC. In this study, the effect of the combination of glycerol and ultrasound treatment on OC of in vitro porcine muscle tissues has been investigated. The refractive index (RI) matching mechanism of OC was directly observed based on the derivative total reflection method. A theoretical model was used to simulate the proportion of tissue fluid in the illuminated area. Moreover, the total transmittance spectra have been obtained by a spectrometer over the range from 450 nm to 700 nm. The administration of glycerol and ultrasound has led to an increase of the RI of background medium and a more RI matching environment was achieved. The experimental results support the validity of the ultrasound treatment for OC. The RI matching mechanism has been firstly quantitatively analyzed based on the derivative total reflection method.

Effect of the gradient of complex refractive index at boundary of turbid media on total internal reflection

We analyze the existence of non-uniformity at the boundary of turbid media, and develop a gradient complex refractive index multilayered model in terms of this fact. Our model reveals the physics mechanism of the discrepancies between experimental data above the critical angle and the fitting curve with Fresnels Formula. Also, from the perspective of the energy flow, reflectance R is obtained by the simplified models. We get complex refractive indexes and reflectance curves by fitting experimental data of 20% and 30% Intralipid solutions and rutile TiO₂ powder suspension with two different methods. Compared with Fresnels Formula, our model can fit experimental data better.

Study of dynamic pressure-induced refractive index change using derivative total reflection method

Abstract. We report the dynamic refractive index (RI) change of tissue under a stepped compression load using a custom-built pressure apparatus. Angle-dependent reflectance profiles of biotissue samples are recorded, and the RI values are resolved using the derivative total reflection method. These results are relevant for understanding the mechanism of mechanical optical clearing, for investigating tissue dynamics under mechanical stimuli, and for other biomedical applications.

Measurement of complex refractive index of turbid media by scanning focused refractive index.

We present the application of scanning focused refractive index microscopy in the complex refractive index measurement of turbid media. An extra standard scattering layer is placed in front of the detector to perform scattering transformation on the reflected light. The principle of the scattering transformation is elaborated theoretically. The influence of the sample scattering is deeply and effectively suppressed experimentally. As a proof of the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method, we demonstrate experimental data of 20% and 30% Intralipid solutions that are commonly used as phantom media for light propagation studies.

Study of the inhibition effect of thiazone on muscle optical clearing

Abstract. We investigated the effect of thiazone, a widely used penetration enhancer, on in vitro porcine skin and muscle tissue by single-integrating sphere technique during optical clearing (OC) treatment. The results showed that thiazone induced an increase on the total transmittance of skin which led to a reduction in that of muscle in the spectral range from 400 to 800 nm. Small particles crystalized out from the thiazone-treated muscle were observed by microscopy imaging. With the help of x-ray diffraction measurement, we ascertained that the crystal was a single-crystal of thiazone, which mainly induced an increase of the scattering. Contrast transmittance measurements carried on the mixture of water, thizaone–propylene glycol solution showed that the free water in muscle could be the main reason for the thiazone crystallization. Therefore, during OC treatment of thiazone, the remarkable effect on skin and the noticeable inhibition effect on subcutaneous muscle tissue after penetrating into the skin should be considered. The experimental results provide such a reference for the choice of penetration enhancer.

Two-dimensional scanning focused refractive-index microscopy and applications to refractive-index profiling of optical fibers

The refractive-index profile (RIP) of optical fibers is of fundamental significance in determining critical fiber properties. Here, we present the application of a two-dimensional (2-D) scanning focused refractive-index microscopy (SFRIM) to accurately obtain the 2-D RIP of a graded-index optical fiber. Some modifications are made to SFRIM for better 2-D measurement. Quantitative RIP of the fiber is obtained with derivative total reflection method. The refractive-index accuracy is 0.002. The measured result is in good agreement with theoretical expectation. This method is straightforward, simple, repeatable, and free from signal distortion. This technique is suitable for symmetric and asymmetric optical fibers. The results indicate that this technique can be applied to obtain the RIPs of a wide range of materials and has broad application prospect in many fields.