Dispersion management for controlling image plane in Fourier-domain spectrally encoded endoscopy

Abstract

Spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) uses single optical fiber and miniature diffractive optics to allow imaging through a miniature probe. Utilizing Fourier-domain interferometry, SEE was shown capable of video-rate three-dimensional imaging, albeit at limited depth of field due to the limited spectral resolution of the detection spectrometer. We show that by using dispersion management at the reference arm of the interferometer, the tilt and curvature of the field of view could be adjusted without modifying the endoscopic probe itself. By controlling the group velocity dispersion, this technique is demonstrated useful for imaging specimen regions which reside outside the system's depth of field. This approach could be used to improve usability, functionality and image quality of SEE without affecting probe size and flexibility.