A systematic comparison and evaluation of three different Swept-Source interferometers for eye lengths biometry

This study reviews the development of Swept-Source interferometers and compares systematically three different Swept-Source interferometer designs for biometric measurements of the eye. Principles characteristics, conveniences and accessibilities of the three developed systems are presented. The main difference between the three Swept-Source systems is the method of tuning the wavelength at the broadband optical amplifier. The implementation of a "quasi-phase-continuous method" (QPC) for wavelength tuning led to longer measuring depth but was more time-consuming. The wavelength tuning using a rotating polygon mirror scanner was faster. The wavelength tuning via Fourier Domain Mode Locking (FDML), where the tuning frequency f_t of the filter must be matched to the inverse cavity roundtrip time τ, achieved the widest tuning range combined with a rather better resolution and signal to noise ratio (SNR). The swept sources were compared using a fiber-optic based Michelson interferometer setup. Measurements of a self-made human model eye demonstrate excellent capturing of the biometric data, with all interfaces of eye optical components and their contours being clearly detected.