Signal-to-noise analysis for detection sensitivity of small absorbing heterogeneity in turbid media with single-source and dual-interfering-source

Previous studies have suggested that the phased-array detection can achieve high sensitivity in detecting and localizing inhomogeneities embedded in turbid media by illuminating with dual interfering sources. In this paper, we analyze the sensitivity of single-source and dual-interfering-source (phased array) systems with signal-to-noise ratio criteria. Analytical solutions are presented to investigate the sensitivity of detection using different degrees of absorption perturbation by varying the size and contrast of the object under similar configurations for single- and dual-source systems. The results suggest that dual-source configuration can provide higher detection sensitivity. The relation between the amplitude and phase signals for both systems is also analyzed using a vector model. The results can be helpful for optimizing the experimental design by combining the advantages of both single- and dual-source systems in object detection and localization. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.