Group refractive index measurement of dry and hydrated type I collagen films using optical low-coherence reflectometry

The group refractive index and physical thickness of dry and hydrated type I collagen films are measured using optical low-coherence reflectometry. The average value for the group refractive index of dry and fully hydrated collagen films at lo = 850 nm is, respectively, 1.53 6 0.02, and 1.43 6 0.02. The physical thickness of type I collagen films nearly doubles when going from the dry (56 mm) to hydrated (118 mm) state.