Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, high-resolution optical imaging technology that creates cross-sectional images from interference signals received from an object under investigation and a local reference. OCT is a commonly used in the medical field for disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring to obtain real-time images of specific organs for direct visualization of tissue structures. A broadband light source is used to optimize image resolution. The broadband light source allows for varying penetration depths as a function of wavelength. This enables OCT systems to reach axial resolutions in the range of 5-10µm, providing an in vivo ‘optical biopsy’ of biological tissues (Figure 1). 

Compared to confocal microscopy , OCT can resolve images with 100 times better axial resolution and also provides a label-free method for in vivo diagnosis.² While a variety of light sources can be used, using a broadband light source for OCT can provide a more cost-effective option for system development as well as a safe energy level for use with biological tissues.