Towards swept-source mid-infrared OCT

摘要

A swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is demonstrated in the mid-infrared region. A Michelson interferometric setup is illuminated by an external cavity quantum cascade laser (QCL), with a scanning frequency of 1 Hz. A-scans were collected using three different samples: a mirror, CaF_2 coated with germanium on both of its surfaces, and CaF_2 coated with germanium on the back side of the sample. These depth-profiles were used to mimic a tissue sample with multiple reflective boundaries. Fourier transformation of these interference fringes clearly showed the expected depths of reflection, allowing for the signal to noise ratio of the system to be determined.