Time-resolved diffuse reflectance at null source-detector separation: A novel approach to photon migration

We propose a novel approach to photon migration based on time-resolved reflectance measurements at null source-detector separation. We demonstrate that measurements at null interfiber distance provide higher number of photons at any arrival time, higher contrast, and better spatial resolution as compared to longer interfiber distances. A first implementation of this approach using a single-photon avalanche diode operated in gated mode is presented. © 2006 Optical Society of America.