TETRA Digital Photonics Virtual Laboratory

Theory of Electromagnetic Field · Bachelor level · 90 minutes

VILNIUS TECH · COST Action CA23125 TETRA

Learning goals

Explain reflection, absorption and scattering; calculate Fresnel reflectance and RGB ratios; distinguish camera-derived indices from calibrated optical constants; discuss model assumptions and measurement uncertainty.

Launch the two applications

BioScan

Fingertip optical acquisition and image-derived channel indices.

Open TETRA BioScan ↗

SkinOptics

Skin image descriptors and synthetic effective-medium/inverse-model exploration.

Open TETRA SkinOptics ↗

Important: Educational and exploratory tools only; not medical diagnostic devices. Use synthetic or properly licensed demonstration data. Do not require students to capture or upload facial photographs, fingertip signals, or personal health data. Verify data processing and permissions before any optional live camera activity.

90-minute class plan

  1. 0–15 min: Electromagnetic theory: light–tissue interactions and Fresnel reflectance.
  2. 15–35 min: Instructor-led BioScan interface and optical-index interpretation.
  3. 35–60 min: SkinOptics: image sampling and synthetic inverse modeling.
  4. 60–80 min: Student calculations using synthetic data and Excel.
  5. 80–90 min: Discussion and Moodle quiz.

Visual learning resources

TETRA BioScan and SkinOptics educational overview poster

Overview poster

Two application workflows and optical theory infographic

Detailed student infographic (illustrative, not actual screenshots)

Student downloads

Three student challenges

  1. Calculate R=((n1−n2)/(n1+n2))² for n1=1 and n2=1.5; express the answer as a percentage.
  2. Compare synthetic samples A and B. Explain why R/G and B/G remain unchanged under proportional scaling, while raw channel values change.
  3. In SkinOptics, explore the synthetic inverse-model section using hypothetical reflectance values (2%, 4%, 6%). Record whether the assumed model finds a solution, and explain limitations.

Do not treat rendered illustrations as measured data, screenshots as verified controls, or model outputs as clinically validated skin properties.

Assessment

Submit a two-page lab report and complete the eight-question Moodle quiz. Your instructor will add the quiz as a separate Moodle activity.

Instructor-only materials (teacher guide and quiz XML) should not be posted in the student-accessible section.

Scroll to Top