Spectral resolution is a crucial parameter in spectral / Fourier domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The sensitivity roll-off is determined by the spectral resolution, while depth-dependent axial resolution changes are caused by spectral resolution variations with wavelength. Currently, spectral resolution assessment is performed using either a narrow linewidth light source or broadband interferometry. Although commonly used, these methods require either additional components or time-consuming procedures. Here, we present a simple method to directly measure the spectral resolution at all wavelengths based on excess noise correlations. We apply this method to a visible light OCT system and validate it against interferometry.

Date Published: 9 March 2020
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Proc. SPIE 11228, Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XXIV, 1122818 (9 March 2020); doi: 10.1117/12.2542444

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 11228:
Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XXIV
Joseph A. Izatt; James G. Fujimoto, Editor(s)