70  μm diameter optical probe for common-path optical coherence tomography in air and liquids

We investigate and validate a novel method to fabricate ultrathin optical probes for common-path optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT). The probes are obtained using a 65 μm barium titanate microsphere inserted into an inward concave cone chemically etched at the end of a single-mode fiber. We demonstrate that the high refractive index (n=1.95) of the barium titanate microspheres allows one to maintain high sensitivity even while imaging in liquids, reaching a sensitivity of 83 dB. Due to its low cost, flexibility, and ease of use, the probe holds promise for the development of a new generation of ultrathin needle-based OCT systems.