Abstract

Analysis of the uncertainties in the optical properties obtained from reflectance data was used to compare the performance of the continuous wave and frequency domain approaches. The surface corresponding to the uncertainty as a function of the noise levels in steady state reflectance and phase difference reveals three distinct domains: a domain in which frequency domain data does not improve sensitivity, a domain in which continuous wave data does not improve sensitivity and a domain in which combining continuous wave and steady state data is an advantageous strategy. The noise levels which define these domains depend upon the optical properties of the tissue and the distances at which measurements are made. Presently, for typical optical properties and homogeneous tissues, optical systems which measure reflectance at short distances operate in the domain for which frequency domain information does not improve sensitivity and continuous wave systems will provide the best sensitivity to changes in optical properties.

© 1996 Optical Society of America