Optical fibre Fizeau-based OCT

Abstract

An optical fibre, Fizeau configuration Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system is presented in this paper. The interferometer is formed between the distal end of the sample-arm fibre and the sample itself This ensures 'downlead insensitivity'; polarisation variation is not a problem, as it is in the standard Michelson configuration. Path-length matching is performed by a secondary, bulk-optic scanning Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of an optical circulator and balanced detection to permit optimum use of the light and maximise the signal-tonoise ratio.