High dynamic range optical-to-near-infrared transmission measurements for different parts of human body in the spectral range from 650 to 950 nm have been performed. Experimentally measured spectra are correlated with Monte Carlo simulations using chromaticity coordinates in CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space. Both a qualitative and a quantitative agreement have been found, paving a new way of characterizing human tissues in vivo. The newly developed experimental and computational platform for assessing tissue transmission spectra is anticipated to have a considerable impact on identifying favorable conditions for laser surgery and optical diagnostics, while providing supplementary information about tissue properties.
Keywords: (170.3660) Light propagation in tissues; (170.6510) Spectroscopy, tissue diagnostics; (170.6935) Tissue characterization; (200.4960) Parallel processing; (300.6550) Spectroscopy, visible; (330.1730) Colorimetry.