A broadband LED source in visible to short-wave-infrared wavelengths for spectral tumor diagnostics

• Published in: Applied physics letters Vol. 110; no. 23
• Main Authors: Hayashi, Daiyu, van Dongen, Anne Marie, Boerekamp, Jack, Spoor, Sandra, Lucassen, Gerald, Schleipen, Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 05-06-2017
• Subjects: Applied physics; Bismuth; Broadband; Cerium; Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; Discharge lamps; Germanium oxides; Lamps; Light emitting diodes; Light sources; Near infrared radiation; Optical fibers; Short wave radiation; Spectra; Spectrum analysis; Tumors
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.4985015

Various tumor types exhibit the spectral fingerprints in the absorption and reflection spectra in visible and especially in near- to short-wave-infrared wavelength ranges. For the purpose of spectral tumor diagnostics by means of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, we developed a broadband light emitting diode (LED) source consisting of a blue LED for optical excitation, Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+,Cr3+ luminescent garnet for visible to near infrared emissions, and Bismuth doped GeO2 luminescent glass for near-infrared to short-wave infrared emissions. It emits broad-band light emissions continuously in 470–1600 nm with a spectral gap at 900–1000 nm. In comparison to the currently available broadband light sources like halogen lamps, high-pressure discharge lamps and super continuum lasers, the light sources of this paper has significant advantages for spectral tissue diagnostics in high-spectral stability, improved light coupling to optical fibers, potential in low light source cost and enabling battery-drive.