TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to optical imaging systems, in particular optical imaging systems utilizing frequency-domain interferometry.

BACKGROUND

Frequency-domain (or “swept-source”) optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are powerful tools that provide non-invasive, high-resolution images of biological samples at higher acquisition speeds and lower signal-to-noise ratios than time-domain OCT systems.FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary frequency-domain OCT system100at a high level. As shown, the exemplary OCT system includes a wavelength-swept laser source95(also referred to herein as a frequency swept source) that provides a laser output spectrum composed of single or multiple longitudinal modes to an input of a coupler72. The coupler72divides the signal fed thereto into the reference arm80that terminates in the reference mirror82and the sample arm84that terminates in the sample86. The optical signals reflect from the reference mirror82and the sample86to provide, via the coupler72, a spectrum of signals that are detected by a photo-detector88.

Despite the many advantages of frequency-domain OCT, conventional implementations can be difficult to set up and optimize. Additionally, conventional implementations can have differences in measured properties and dimensions from system-to-system. It is with respect to this, that the present disclosure is provided.

