Correlation properties of multiple scattered light: implication to coherent diagnostics of burned skin

Modeling of skin burns has been performed in this study. Autocorrelation functions of intensity fluctuations of scattered light were measured for two-layered turbid media. The first layer served as a model for motionless scatterers (optically inhomogeneous gel film) whereas the second one simulated dynamic light scattering (Brownian motion of intralipid particles in aqueous suspension). This medium was used as a model of skin burns. A theory related quasi-elastic light scattering measurements to cutaneous blood flow was used. The dependencies of statistical properties of Doppler signal on the properties of burned skin as well as on the velocity of cutaneous blood flow have been investigated. Theoretical predictions have been verified by measurements both of dynamic and stationary light scattering in model media. (C) 2004 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.