Needle-based reflection refractometry of scattering samples using coherence-gated detection.

We present a novel method for in situ refractive index measurement of scattering samples using a needle device. The device employs a fiber-based reflectance refractometer and coherence-gated detection of the reflected optical signal that eliminates scattering-dependent backreflection contributions. Additionally, birefringence changes induced by fiber movement are neutralized by randomizing the source polarizations and averaging the measured Fresnel reflection coefficients over many incident polarization states. Experimental measurements of Intralipid scattering solutions are presented and compared with Monte Carlo simulations.

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