High-speed spectral domain polarization-sensitive OCT using a single InGaAs line-scan camera and an optical switch

Abstract

We demonstrated high-speed spectral domain polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (SD-PSOCT) using a single InGaAs line-scan camera and an optical switch at 1.3-μm region. The polarization-sensitive low coherence interferometer in the system was based on the original free-space PS-OCT system published by Hee et al. The horizontal and vertical polarization light rays split by polarization beam splitter were delivered and detected via an optical switch to a single spectrometer by turns instead of dual spectrometers. The SD-PSOCT system had an axial resolution of 8.2 μm, a sensitivity of 101.5 dB, and an acquisition speed of 23,496 Alines/s. We obtained the intensity, phase retardation, and fast axis orientation images of a biological tissue. In addition, we calculated the averaged axial profiles of the phase retardation in human skin.