Topics in Particle and Dispersion Science

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Prev topic | Next topic

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) (for example, Huang D et al 1991) rejects non-ballistic light (see Optical imaging in turbid media: Introduction) by relying on a rapid loss of coherence of light scattered in TM thanks to random phase changes introduced by the light scattering process. In contrast, the coherence of the ballistic light is preserved. Thus, only the ballistic light can interfere with a reference light beam (an amplitide-splitted part of the illumination beam) and can be detected. This allows viewing objects in TM or depth-scanning the TM structure at optical thicknesses on the order of 15.

Interference detection based on the Michelson-type interefrometer limits the distance range of this method to several millimeters. However, the method allows the range resolution on the order of 1 µm. Similar resolution can be achieved by using optical cross-correlation (for example, Abraham E et al 2000, Fujimoto JG et al 1986).

OCT, also referred to as white-light interferometry (WLI), was originally developed for testing of millimeter-sized optical circuits (for example, Danielson BL and Whittenberg 1987). This technique is being vigorously developed for medical applications, and sometimes referred to as optical biopsy.

CITATION: Jonasz M. 2006. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) (www.tpdsci.com/Tpc/ImgTMOCT.php). In: Top. Part. Disp. Sci. (www.tpdsci.com).

HISTORY: Published: 19-Jan-2006 Modified: 03-Jul-2006 Peer-reviewed: PENDING

Entire site Survey Topics Index References
Copyright 2005-2012 TPDSci Inc. All rights reserved. | Terms of use