Quantifying scattering coefficient for multiple scattering effect by combining optical coherence tomography with finite-difference time-domain simulation method.

In optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems, to precisely obtain the scattering properties of samples is an essential issue in diagnostic applications. Especially with a higher density turbid medium, the light interferes among the adjacent scatters. Combining an OCT experiment with the finite-difference time-domain simulation method, the multiple scattering effect is shown to affect the scattering properties of medium depending on the interparticle spacing. The far-field scattering phase function of scatters with various diameters was simulated to further analyze the corresponding anisotropy factors, which can be introduced into the extended Huygens-Fresnel theory to find the scattering coefficient of measured samples.