Relationship between axial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in optical coherence tomography
Abstract
In optical coherence tomography (OCT), axial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are typically viewed as uncoupled parameters. We show that this is true only for mirror-like surfaces and that in diffuse scattering samples such as biological tissues there is an inherent coupling between axial resolution and measurement SNR. We explain the origin of this coupling and demonstrate that it can be used to achieve increased imaging penetration depth at the expense of resolution. Finally, we argue that this coupling should be considered during OCT system design processes that seek to balance the competing needs of resolution, sensitivity, and system/source complexity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1364/ol.449421
Entities
People
- Benjamin J. Vakoc
- Danielle J Harper
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Harvard Medical School
- Harvard–MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering