Optical coherence tomography system with no high-precision scanning stage and stage controller

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel technique for noninvasive imaging based on the use of a low-coherence interferometer. Conventionally, obtaining high-resolution images requires the use of high-precision sample and scanning stages and a stage controller for simultaneous measurement of the refractive index and the thickness of an optical sample. However, in this study a novel optical-fiber-type OCT system is developed that does not need both a high-precision scanning stage and a stage controller. Additionally, two signal demodulation processes are described. Compared with that of conventional OCT systems, the current configuration eliminates the high-precision scanning stage and stage controller and is therefore cheaper and less complex. Also, this new technique could be applied to conventional OCTs in biotissue scanning. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.