Numerically focused full-field swept-source optical coherence microscopy with low spatial coherence illumination

Abstract

We propose a 3D imaging technique based on the combination of full-field swept-source optical coherence microscopy (FF-SSOCM) with low spatial coherence illumination and a special numerical processing that allows for numerically focused coherent-noise-free imaging without mechanical scanning in longitudinal or transversal directions. We show, both theoretically and experimentally, that the blurring effects arising in FF-SSOCM due to defocus can be corrected by appropriate numerical processing even when low spatial coherence illumination is used. A FF-SSOCM system was built for testing the performance of this technique. Coherent-noise-free imaging of a sample with longitudinal extent exceeding the optical depth of field is demonstrated without displacement of the sample or any optical element.