This is the textbook and reference resource that instructors, students, and researchers in biomedical optics have been waiting for. Comprehensive and up to date, it covers a broad range of areas in biomedical optics, from light interactions at the single-photon and single-biomolecule levels, to the diffusion regime of light propagation in tissue. Subjects covered include spectroscopic techniques (fluorescence, Raman, infrared, near-infrared, and elastic scattering), imaging techniques (diffuse optical tomography, photoacoustic imaging, several forms of modern microscopy, and optical coherence tomography), and laser-tissue interactions, including optical tweezers. Topics are developed from the fundamental principles of physical science, with intuitive explanations, while rigorous mathematical formalisms of theoretical treatments are also provided. For each technique, descriptions of relevant instrumentation and examples of biomedical applications are outlined, and each chapter benefits from references and suggested resources for further reading, and exercise problems with answers to selected problems.

Honourable Mention, 2017 PROSE Award for Textbook/Best in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

2020 Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award, The Optical Society

'Bigio and Fantini provide a long-needed introduction to the field of biomedical optics and biophotonics, adding spice to the presentation of the basics with historical and etymological gems. The conversational tone of the book is very welcome, and allows room for the clear explanation of subtleties not always clarified in other discussions. The book is a wonderful introduction to the field. It balances rigor with readability. Bravo!'

Steven L. Jacques - Oregon Health Sciences University

'This book about biomedical optics provides a remarkably comprehensive introduction to the field. The text is carefully and affectionately developed with quantitative rigor, and it is written in a clear, easy-to-understand style that helps students develop intuition. The subject matter covers basics of linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopy, static and dynamic light scattering and more advanced topics such as light transport through highly scattering tissues, acousto-optics and opto-acoustics, and imaging from microscopy to tomography. The book should prove useful as a textbook for courses targeting both advanced undergraduates and graduate students in science, engineering and medicine. It will also be a valuable reference for researchers working at the frontiers of knowledge.'

Arjun G. Yodh - University of Pennsylvania

'Bigio and Fantini’s comprehensive text on biomedical optics provides a wonderful blend of accessible theory and practical guidance relevant to the design and application of biomedical optical systems. It should be required reading for all graduate students working in this area.'

Rebecca Richards-Kortum - Rice University, Houston

'This textbook provides a broad survey of the field and covers the basics in a remarkably clear and easy to understand style. The authors have used the fundamental principles of physical science to describe subject matter and a quantitative approach for their applications. … I highly recommend this textbook for upper-level undergraduate courses as well as more advanced graduate-level courses on biomedical optics. The book would also be useful for students of the biological sciences and as a reference resource for researchers in biomedical optics.'

Reva Garg Source: Optics and Photonics News

'Educators in Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics have been long awaiting a comprehensive text to accompany their teaching in this rapidly growing field and this is as good as it gets. Educators may have their own bias, but this text provides a balanced approach giving due weight to the topics within the field and covering them comprehensively for most undergraduate and graduate courses in the field … There is sufficient depth, detail and reference material for very specialized researchers to use this as their 'bible' and it should be on the desk of every serious educator and researcher in biomedical optics.'

Martin Leahy - National University of Ireland, Galway

‘Quantitative Biomedical Optics is really an excellent textbook for this course BMEN 360 Biomedical Analysis. It covers many basic and advanced topics for modern optical applications in not only biomedical engineering but also other area. It is very useful for students and researchers who want to use optics for their research.’

Guiren Wang - University of South Carolina