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Fourier domain optical coherence tomography system with balance detection

Bradu, Adrian, Podoleanu, Adrian G.H. (2012) Fourier domain optical coherence tomography system with balance detection. Optics express, 20 (16). pp. 17522-17538. ISSN 1094-4087. (doi:10.1364/OE.20.017522) (KAR id:32773)

Abstract

A Fourier domain optical coherence tomography system with two spectrometers in balance detection is assembled using each an InGaAs linear camera. Conditions and adjustments of spectrometer parameters are presented to ensure anti-phase channeled spectrum modulation across the two cameras for a majority of wavelengths within the optical source spectrum. By blocking the signal to one of the spectrometers, the setup was used to compare the conditions of operation of a single camera with that of a balanced configuration. Using multiple layer samples, balanced detection technique is compared with techniques applied to conventional single camera setups, based on sequential deduction of averaged spectra collected with different on/off settings for the sample or reference beams. In terms of reducing the autocorrelation terms and fixed pattern noise, it is concluded that balance detection performs better than single camera techniques, is more tolerant to movement, exhibits longer term stability and can operate dynamically in real time. The cameras used exhibit larger saturation power than the power threshold where excess photon noise exceeds shot noise. Therefore, conditions to adjust the two cameras to reduce the noise when used in a balanced configuration are presented. It is shown that balance detection can reduce the noise in real time operation, in comparison with single camera configurations. However, simple deduction of an average spectrum in single camera configurations delivers less noise than the balance detection.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1364/OE.20.017522
Additional information: This is available as OPEN ACCESS by clicking on the URL.
Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Funders: [UNSPECIFIED] European Research Council
Depositing User: Adrian Podoleanu
Date Deposited: 12 Dec 2012 12:55 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/32773 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Podoleanu, Adrian G.H..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4899-9656
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