High resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 1.3 micron center wavelength using a broadband superluminescent diode light source

Abstract : We present an ultrahigh resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging system using a broadband superluminescent diode light source emitting at a center wavelength of 1.3 mm. The light source consists of two spectrally shifted superluminescent diodes that are coupled together into a single mode fiber. The effective emission power spectrum has a full width at half maximum of 200 nm and the source output power is 10 mW. The imaging system has an axial resolution of 3.9 µm in air (3.0 µm in biological tissue), and a lateral resolution of 6.5 µm. The sensitivity and the maximum line rate are 95 dB and 46 kHz, respectively. Images of an infrared viewing card and a cornea from human eye suffering from glaucoma showing Schlemm's canal are presented to illustrate the performance of the system.