3D nondestructive testing system with an affordable multiple reference optical-delay-based optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging as a powerful noncontact imaging technique, allowing high-quality cross-sectional imaging of scattering specimens nondestructively. However, the complexity and cost of current embodiments of an OCT system limit its use in various nondestructive testing (NDT) applications at resource-limited settings. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of a novel low-cost OCT system for a range of nondestructive testing (NDT) applications. The proposed imaging system is based on an enhanced time-domain OCT system with a low cost and small form factor reference arm optical delay, called multiple reference OCT (MR-OCT), which uses a miniature voice coil actuator and a partial mirror for extending the axial scan range. The proposed approach is potentially a low-cost, compact, and unique optical imaging modality for a range of NDT applications in a low-resource setting. Using this method, we demonstrated the capability of MR-OCT to perform cross-sectional and volumetric imaging at 1200 A-scans per second.

Assessment of curing behavior of light‐activated dental composites using intensity correlation based multiple reference optical coherence tomography

“…However, due to the moderate speed, low cost computation platforms will be sufficient for its needs. The feasibility of using MR‐OCT for imaging biological and nondestructive testing of materials was demonstrated in our earlier work . In this work, the depth resolved monitoring of curing kinetics of light‐activated resin is demonstrated using MR‐OCT in conjunction with a 2D correlation coefficient method.…”

“…Figure shows a schematic diagram of the MR‐OCT system which utilizes a voice coil motor (VCM) to perform remote depth‐scanning of the sample. Further details of the optical setup can be found in .…”

Development of a first-generation miniature multiple reference optical coherence tomography imaging device

“…The MR-OCT approach enables the use of low cost, off the shelf mechanical components such as voice coils that have been shown to be effective miniature, low-voltage actuators. [7][8][9] Hence, this technology has the potential to produce a fully functional OCT system (excluding processing and display) with a bill of materials of approximately $10. 10 Furthermore, we expect MR-OCT devices to be available before photonic integrated circuit-based devices reach their full potential.…”

“…Other potential applications of this technology, previously demonstrated by the Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group at NUI Galway, include dermatology, 7 nondestructive testing, 9 and dentistry. 8 All of these works were performed via bench-top systems using bulk optics.…”

Feasibility study of phase-sensitive imaging based on multiple reference optical coherence tomography

“…The repeated recirculation of light creates multiple optical delays, generating multiple reference (MR) signals that allow multiple scan ranges for deeper axial imaging. The performance of a free-space MR-OCT system has been previously demonstrated by imaging the in vivo fingertip and forearm [24] and for nondestructive testing applications [25,26] . In addition, we have recently reported the feasibility of building a miniature configuration of an MR-OCT using off-the-shelf microoptical components [27] .…”