Evaluation of a polarization sensitive multiple reference optical coherence tomography system

Abstract

Multiple reference optical coherence tomography (MR-OCT) is a new compact optical sensor platform based on a small form factor recirculating reference arm scanning optical delay, which promises a robust, cost-effective semisolid state design for integration with next generation mobile devices. The miniature re-circulating optical delay is based on a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator and a partial mirror. Imaging capability of MR-OCT has been recently demonstrated using a non-polarizing bulk optics design and an unbalanced detection system with a sensitivity of up to 98 dB at an axial rate of 1200 A-scans per second. In this study, we implemented a polarization based MR-OCT with balanced detection system and have gathered preliminary results in comparison with a non-polarizing MROCT with balanced detection. The polarization sensitive (PS)-MR-OCT, based on a balanced detection scheme can improve the sensitivity by reducing common-mode noise of the system.