Inverse Scattering for Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Inverse scattering theory for optical coherence tomography (OCT) is developed. The results are used to produce algorithms to resolve three-dimensional object structure, taking into account the finite beam width, diffraction, and defocusing effects. The resolution normally achieved only in the focal plane of the OCT system is shown to be available for all illuminated depths in the object without moving the focal plane. Spatially invariant resolution is verified with numerical simulations and indicates an improvement of the high-resolution crosssectional imaging capabilities of OCT.

Clinical optical coherence tomography combined with multiphoton tomography of patients with skin diseases

“…When using a different conventional capture lens within a Mach-Zender interferometer, the sensitivity loss can unfortunately exceed 30 dB. A second approach is the use of conventional optics and to employ an a priori knowledge about the beam shape and sample characteristics as a basis for computational extraction of information from out-of-focus regions [5,6]. The method suffers from high computational overheads and inevitable reduction in sensitivity away from focus.…”

Integrated structural and functional optical imaging combining spectral-domain optical coherence and multiphoton microscopy

“…In fact, because different tissue structures and molecules have different spectral absorption and scattering properties, the spectral analysis, combined with the coherence gating, can increase the OCM image contrast, with the potential for generating spatial maps of molecules within the sample. Finally, inverse scattering computations show that the out-of-focus data acquired in this spectraldomain OCM configuration can be significantly resolved, resulting in multi-plane acquisition [12].…”