Polarization sensitive spectral domain OCT using an interference signal modulated at a constant frequency and a two-path reference arm with a single reference mirror

摘要

Embodiments include apparatuses and methods for spectral domain polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography including a reference assembly for detection of the polarization sensitive spectral interferograms formed by vertically and horizontally polarized beam components. Interference signals between the reference and sample beams may be modulated at a constant frequency.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a first light path of a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system reference arm through which a horizontally-polarized light beam passes; a second light path of the spectral domain OCT system reference arm through which a vertically-polarized light beam passes; a mobile reference mirror to reflect the horizontally-polarized light beam and the vertically-polarized light beam to form a joined beam with an optical pathlength difference between the horizontally-polarized light beam and the vertically-polarized light beam; and a signal modulation device that moves the mobile reference mirror at a constant velocity across a B scan to modulate, at a constant modulation frequency, an interference signal formed by the horizontally- and vertically-polarized light beams.