Patent ID: 7268873
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring an isotropic scattering coefficient for radiation having a selected wavelength and being multiply scattered in a suspension of particles, comprising: (a) placing the suspension between a source and a detector of the radiation, the source and the detector being disposed at a first selected distance apart, the radiation having an intensity, the intensity being modulated at a first selected frequency of modulation; (b) measuring at least two characteristics of the radiation at the source and the detector, the two characteristics being selected from among AC attenuation of the radiation, DC attenuation of the radiation, and phase shift of the radiation; (c) changing the selected distance apart of the source and the detector to a different selected distance apart and repeating step (b); (d) from the selected two characteristics and a mathematical solution of the diffusion equation for propagation of light through a multiple scattering medium expressed as a linear function of the selected distance, calculating the scattering coefficient; and (e) generating an output signal indicative of the calculated scattering coefficient.