 | Biomedical optics is a rapidly growing area of research. Although many universities have begun to offer courses on the topic, a textbook containing examples and homework problems has not been available. The need to fill this void prompted us to write this book. This book is based on our lecture notes for a one-semester (45 lecture hours) entry-level course, which we have taught since 1998. The contents are divided into two major parts: (1) fundamentals of photon transport in biological tissue and (2) optical imaging. In the first part (Chapters 1–7), we start with a brief introduction to biomedical optics and then cover single-scatterer theories, Monte Carlo |
transfer equation and diffusion theory, hybrid Monte Carlo method and diffusion
theory, and sensing of optical properties and spectroscopy. In the second part
(Chapters 8–13), we cover ballistic imaging, optical coherence tomography, diffuse
optical tomography, photoacoustic tomography, and ultrasound-modulated
optical tomography.
When the book is used as the textbook in a course, the instructor may request
a solution manual containing homework solutions from the publisher. To benefit
from this text, students are expected to have a background in calculus
and differential equations. Experience in MATLAB® or C/C++ is also helpful.
Source codes and other information can be found at ftp://ftp.wiley.com/public/
sci_tech_med/biomedical_optics.
Although our multilayered Monte Carlo model is in the public domain, we
have found that students are able to better grasp the concept of photon transport in
biological tissue when they implement simple semiinfinite versions of the model.
For this reason, we encourage the use of simulations whenever appropriate.
Because a great deal of material beyond our original lecture notes has been
added, two semesters are recommended to cover the complete textbook. Alternatively,
selected chapters can be covered in a one-semester course. In addition to
serving as a textbook, this book can also be used as a reference for professionals
and a supplement for trainees engaged in short courses in the field of biomedical
optics.
We are grateful to Mary Ann Dickson for editing the text and to Elizabeth
Smith for redrawing the figures. We appreciate Sancy Wu’s close reading of
the manuscript. We are also thankful to the many students who contributed to
the homework solutions. Finally, we wish to thank our students Li Li, Manojit
Pramanik, and Sava Sakadzic for proofreading the book.
Lihong V. Wang, Ph.D.
Hsin-i Wu, Ph.D.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
