Simultaneous dual-band spectral domain optical coherence tomography using a supercontinuum laser light source

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is performed in the spectral domain simultaneously at two different wavelength bands centered at 800 nm and 1250 nm. A novel commercial supercontinuum laser is applied as a single light source whose emission spectrum is shaped by optical and spatial filtering to obtain an adequate double peak spectrum. After spectral shaping, the wavelength bands 700 – 900 nm and 1100 – 1400 nm are used for OCT imaging. A fiber-coupled setup optimized for both spectral regions facilitates easy and flexible access to the measurement area. Each wavelength band is analyzed with an individual spectrometer at an A-scan rate of about 12 kHz which allows real-time sample examination. The free-space axial resolutions were measured to be less than 4.5 μm and 7 μm at 800 nm and 1250 nm, respectively. This technique combines the high resolution at 800 nm with the enhanced imaging depth at 1250 nm. Furthermore, spatially resolved spectroscopic sample features are extracted by comparing the backscattering properties at the two different wavelength bands, showing the ability of dual-band OCT to enhance image contrast.