Contrast and resolution in optical coherence tomography

Thomas Hellmuth

doi:10.1117/12.260800

6 December 1996 Contrast and resolution in optical coherence tomography

Thomas Hellmuth

Proceedings Volume 2926, Optical Biopsies and Microscopic Techniques; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.260800
Event: BiOS Europe '96, 1996, Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an interferometric scanning technique. The instrument core is a Michelson interferometer comprising a moving reference mirror and a backscattering object representing the second mirror. The light source coherence length determines the depth resolution of this imaging method. OCT provides images with improved contrast and depth resolution compared to confocal microscopy in the case of turbid objects. Here, the imaging performance and contrast mechanisms of OCT are analyzed in terms of linear system theory. It is shown that OCT has a band pass filter behavior. The system transfer function is compared to the transfer function of a coherent confocal microscope.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas Hellmuth "Contrast and resolution in optical coherence tomography", Proc. SPIE 2926, Optical Biopsies and Microscopic Techniques, (6 December 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.260800

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