Gabor Domain Optical Coherence Microscopy

Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) utilizes a higher NA microscope objective in the sample arm of a low coherence interferometer than in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to achieve axially and laterally high-resolution optical tomographic images. An increase in NA, however, leads to a dramatically decreased depth of focus (DOF), and hence shortens the imaging depth range so that high lateral resolution is maintained only within a small depth region around the focal plane. One solution to increase the depth of imaging while keeping a high lateral resolution is dynamic-focusing. Utilizing the voltage controlled refocus capability of a liquid lens, we have recently presented a solution for invariant high-resolution imaging using the liquid lens embedded within a fixed optics hand-held custom microscope. An implementation of the microscope for optical imaging using a broadband light source centered at 800 nm has been completed. Subsequently, we have developed Gabor-Domain Optical Coherence Microscopy (GD-OCM) that utilizes the high speed imaging of spectral domain OCT, the high lateral resolution of OCM, and the ability of real time refocusing of our custom design variable focus objective. In this paper, we provide an overview of the technology developed and highlight resent results. We also provide linkages to current related research in our group all directed at finding expedient pathways to the clinical settings. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering