Systems and methods for complex conjugate artifact resolved optical coherence tomography

摘要

Systems and methods are disclosed for optical coherence tomography (OCT). For example, imaging can use optical phase modulators based on optical delay lines that, in conjunction with a swept-source laser, can be used to achieve heterodyne swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT). These techniques resolve the complex conjugate ambiguity in SSOCT, thereby doubling the usable imaging range. This increased imaging range has numerous important clinical applications in ophthalmology, cardiology and radiology, as well as applications in small animal and non-biological imaging. These methods are superior to prior disclosed methods requiring acousto-optic or electro-optic modulators with respect to complexity, efficiency, imaging speed and image quality.

主权项

1. A method for resolving complex conjugate ambiguity in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) interferogram, the method comprising:
producing light from a light source; producing a phase modulation of the light within a resonator cavity through which the light travels, wherein the resonator cavity is disposed in the light source; propagating a reference light portion from the light source along a reference arm optical pathlength and a sample light portion from the light source along a sample arm optical pathlength, the reference arm optical pathlength and the sample arm optical pathlength being offset from each other by a multiple of an optical pathlength of the resonator cavity; and using the phase modulation of the light to separate a positive and a negative displacement of a complex conjugate component of the OCT interferogram produced by combining and detecting the reference light portion and the sample light portion.