High-resolution optical coherence tomography over a large depth range with an axicon lens

Abstract

In optical coherence tomography, axial and lateral resolutions are determined by the source coherence length and the numerical aperture of the sampling lens, respectively. Whereas axial resolution can be improved by use of a broadband light source, there is a trade-off between lateral resolution and focusing depth when conventional optical elements are used. We report on the incorporation of an axicon lens into the sample arm of an interferometer to overcome this limitation. Using an axicon lens with a top angle of 160°, we maintained $10‐\mathit{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ or better lateral resolution over a focusing depth of at least 6 mm. In addition to having high lateral resolution, the focusing spot has an intensity that is approximately constant over a greater depth range than when a conventional lens is used.

© 2002 Optical Society of America

Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy with a high depth of field using an axicon

Pascal Dufour, Michel Piché, Yves De Koninck, and Nathalie McCarthy
Appl. Opt. 45(36) 9246-9252 (2006)

Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography by broadband continuum generation from a photonic crystal fiber

Yimin Wang, Yonghua Zhao, J. S. Nelson, Zhongping Chen, and Robert S. Windeler
Opt. Lett. 28(3) 182-184 (2003)

High-resolution, dual-depth spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with interlaced detection for whole-eye imaging

Hyung-Jin Kim, Pil Un Kim, Min Gyu Hyeon, Youngwoon Choi, Jeehyun Kim, and Beop-Min Kim
Appl. Opt. 55(26) 7212-7217 (2016)

Focus-extension by depth-encoded synthetic aperture in Optical Coherence Tomography

Jianhua Mo, Mattijs de Groot, and Johannes F. de Boer
Opt. Express 21(8) 10048-10061 (2013)

Bessel beam spectral-domain high-resolution optical coherence tomography with micro-optic axicon providing extended focusing range

Kye-Sung Lee and Jannick P. Rolland
Opt. Lett. 33(15) 1696-1698 (2008)