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Imaging beyond the ballistic limit in coherence imaging using multiply scattered light.
Michael G Giacomelli1, Adam Wax
1Department of Biomedical Engineering and Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Optics Express
|March 4, 2011
Summary
This study introduces a novel coherence imaging system using multiply scattered light for deeper imaging in scattering media. The new method shows potential for superior time-resolved measurements compared to conventional techniques.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Scattering Media Imaging
- Interferometry
Background:
- Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) primarily detects singly scattered light, limiting imaging depth in scattering media.
- Extended depth imaging into highly scattering media remains a significant challenge in various scientific fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate an imaging system capable of extended depth imaging into highly scattering media.
- To investigate the feasibility and advantages of using multiply scattered light for coherence imaging.
- To compare the performance of the novel system with conventional OCT.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing low coherence interferometric detection of multiply scattered light.
- Incorporating angle-resolved detection to enhance coherence imaging capabilities.
- Employing a scattering phantom with nearly 100 mean free paths to test imaging depth.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated feasibility of coherence imaging using multiply scattered photons.
- Showcased extended depth imaging capabilities into highly scattering media.
- Achieved potentially superior performance for time-resolved measurements compared to existing methods.
Conclusions:
- Coherence imaging with multiply scattered photons is feasible and offers advantages for deep tissue imaging.
- The developed system enables significantly deeper imaging than conventional OCT in highly scattering environments.
- Angle-resolved detection is key to harnessing multiply scattered light for enhanced imaging.
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