Improved spectral optical coherence tomography using optical frequency comb

We identify and analyze factors influencing sensitivity drop-off in Spectral OCT and propose a system employing an Optical Frequency Comb (OFC) to verify this analysis. Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography using a method based on an optical frequency comb is demonstrated. Since the spectrum sampling function is determined by the comb rather than detector pixel distribution, this method allows to overcome limitations of high resolution Fourier-domain OCT techniques. Additionally, the presented technique also enables increased imaging range while preserving high axial resolution. High resolution cross-sectional images of biological samples obtained with the proposed technique are presented.