@article{bargo03a,
  author = {Paulo R. Bargo and Scott A. Prahl and Steven L. Jacques},
  title = {Optical Properties Effects upon the Collection Efficiency of Optical Fibers in Different Probe Configurations},
  journal = {IEEE J. Selected Topics Quantum Electron.},
  year = {2003},
  volume = {9},
  pages = {314--321},
  abstract = {When optical fiber are used for delivery and collection of light, two major factors affect the measurement of collected light: (1) the light transport in the medium from the source to the detection fiber, and (2) the light coupling to the optical fiber which depends on the angular distribution of photons entering the fiber. This paper studies the latter factor, describing how the efficiency of the coupling depends on the optical properties of the sample. The coupling dependence on optical properties is verified by comparing experimental data to a simple diffusion model and to a Monte Carlo corrected diffusion model. Mean square errors were 7.9\% and 1.4\% were for the diffusion and the Monte Carlo corrected model respectively. The efficiency of coupling was shown to be highly dependent on the numerical aperture (NA) of the optical fiber. However, for lower scattering, such as in soft tissues, the efficiency of coupling could vary 2--3 fold from that predicted by fiber NA. The collection efficiency can be used as a practical guide for choosing optical fiber based systems for biomedical applications.},
}