Time of flight for photon in human skin

Abstract

The time of flight for photons in human skin was measured using picosecond diode laser. Two different wavelength lasers were used - 405 nm and 510 nm. A difference for time of flight in normal skin and in nevus was observed as well as a difference for different wavelength laser irradiation was observed. For 405 nm laser irradiation the difference was 41 ps while comparison of time of flights skin and nevi using 510 nm irradiation showed a result of 32 ps. Results allow to conclude that the time photon travels in skin might depend on the characteristics of the medium and wavelength of the irradiation. This can be related to known data for light penetration depth in human skin for different wavelengths.

Keywords

• absorbtion
• light impulse
• biophotonics
• medical physics