High-resolution full-field optical coherence tomography with a Linnik microscope

摘要

We describe an original microscope for high-resolution optical coherence tomography applications. Our system is based on a Linnik interference microscope with high-numerical-aperture objectives. Lock-in detection of the interference signal is achieved in parallel on a CCD by use of a photoelastic birefiringence modulator and full-field stroboscopic illumination with an infrared LED. Transverse cross-section (en-face, or XY) images can be obtained in real time with better than 1-mum axial (Z) resolution and 0.5-mum transverse (XY) resolution. A sensitivity of similar to80 dB is reached at a 1-image/s acquisition rate, which allows tomography in scattering media such as biological tissues. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America. [References: 27]