Optical coherence tomography apparatus using optical-waveguide structure which reduces pulse width of low-coherence light

摘要

In an optical coherence tomography apparatus low-coherence light from a light source is split into signal light and reference light. At least one of the frequencies of the signal light and the reference light is shifted so as to produce a predetermined frequency difference between the frequencies. The reference light and a portion of the signal light reflected from the object are optically multiplexed so as to produce interference light and the optical intensity of the interference light is detected. The pulse width of pulsed light emitted from a pulsed light source unit is reduced by an optical-waveguide structure. The optical-waveguide structure is made of a material having a normal dispersion characteristic, and includes a structure which realizes an anomalous dispersion characteristic.