Fourier Transform Light Scattering (FTLS) of Cells and Tissues

Fourier transform light scattering (FTLS) has been recently developed as a novel, ultrasensitive method for studying light scattering from inhomogeneous and dynamic structures. FTLS relies on quantifying the optical phase and amplitude associated with a coherent image field and propagating it numerically to the scattering plane. In this paper, we review the principle and applications of FTLS to static and dynamic light scattering from biological tissues and live cells. Compared with other existing light scattering techniques, FTLS has significant benefits of high sensitivity, speed, and angular resolution. We anticipate that FTLS will set the basis for disease diagnosis based on intrinsic tissue optical properties and provide an efficient tool for quantifying cell structures and dynamics.