Analysis of the fluorescence temporal point-spread function in a turbid medium and its application to optical imaging

Abstract

A time-domain optical method to evaluate the concentration $(n)$, lifetime $(τ)$, and depth $(d)$ of a fluorescent inclusion is described by the complete analysis of the fluorescence temporal point-spread function (TPSF). The behavior of parameters in the fluorescence TPSF is explored, and we demonstrate the method with experimental data from a localized fluorescent inclusion in scattering media to recover images of $n$, $τ$, and $d$. The method has potential application for in vivo fluorescence imaging.