Tagging photons with gold nanoparticles as localized absorbers in optical measurements in turbid media.

We analyze a role of a localized inclusion as a probe for spatial distributions of migrating photons in turbid media. We present new experimental data and two-dimensional analysis of radiance detection of a localized absorptive inclusion formed by gold nanoparticles in Intralipid-1% when the target is translated along the line connecting the light source and detector. Data are analyzed using the novel analytical expression for the relative angular photon distribution function for radiance developed by extending the perturbation approach for fluence. Obtained photon maps allow predicting conditions for detectability of inclusions for which proximity to the detector is essential.