Abstract

Imaging of in vivo and ex vivo biological samples using full-field optical coherence tomography is demonstrated. Three variations on the original full-field optical coherence tomography instrument are presented, and evaluated in terms of performance. The instruments are based on the Linnik interferometer illuminated by a white light source. Images in the en face orientation are obtained in real-time without scanning by using a two-dimensional parallel detector array. An isotropic resolution capability better than 1 µm is achieved thanks to the use of a broad spectrum source and high numerical aperture microscope objectives. Detection sensitivity up to 90 dB is demonstrated. Image acquisition times as short as 10 µs per en face image are possible. A variety of in vivo and ex vivo imaging applications is explored, particularly in the fields of embryology, ophthalmology and botany.

© 2005 Optical Society of America