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Unified k-space theory of optical coherence tomography

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zhou, KC; Qian, R; Dhalla, AH; Farsiu, S; Izatt, JA
Published in: Advances in Optics and Photonics
January 1, 2021

We present a general theory of optical coherence tomography (OCT), which synthesizes the fundamental concepts and implementations of OCT under a common 3D k-space framework. At the heart of this analysis is the Fourier diffraction theorem, which relates the coherent interaction between a sample and plane wave to the Ewald sphere in the 3D k-space representation of the sample. While only the axial dimension of OCT is typically analyzed in k-space, we show that embracing a fully 3D k-space formalism allows explanation of nearly every fundamental physical phenomenon or property of OCT, including contrast mechanism, resolution, dispersion, aberration, limited depth of focus, and speckle. The theory also unifies diffraction tomography, confocal microscopy, point-scanning OCT, line-field OCT, full-field OCT, Bessel beam OCT, transillumination OCT, interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy (ISAM), and optical coherence refraction tomography (OCRT), among others. Our unified theory not only enables clear understanding of existing techniques but also suggests new research directions to continue advancing the field of OCT.

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Published In

Advances in Optics and Photonics

DOI

EISSN

1943-8206

Publication Date

January 1, 2021

Volume

13

Issue

2

Start / End Page

462 / 514

Related Subject Headings

  • 5103 Classical physics
  • 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • 4018 Nanotechnology
  • 0205 Optical Physics
 

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Zhou, K. C., Qian, R., Dhalla, A. H., Farsiu, S., & Izatt, J. A. (2021). Unified k-space theory of optical coherence tomography. Advances in Optics and Photonics, 13(2), 462–514. https://doi.org/10.1364/AOP.417102
Zhou, K. C., R. Qian, A. H. Dhalla, S. Farsiu, and J. A. Izatt. “Unified k-space theory of optical coherence tomography.” Advances in Optics and Photonics 13, no. 2 (January 1, 2021): 462–514. https://doi.org/10.1364/AOP.417102.
Zhou KC, Qian R, Dhalla AH, Farsiu S, Izatt JA. Unified k-space theory of optical coherence tomography. Advances in Optics and Photonics. 2021 Jan 1;13(2):462–514.
Zhou, K. C., et al. “Unified k-space theory of optical coherence tomography.” Advances in Optics and Photonics, vol. 13, no. 2, Jan. 2021, pp. 462–514. Scopus, doi:10.1364/AOP.417102.
Zhou KC, Qian R, Dhalla AH, Farsiu S, Izatt JA. Unified k-space theory of optical coherence tomography. Advances in Optics and Photonics. 2021 Jan 1;13(2):462–514.
Journal cover image

Published In

Advances in Optics and Photonics

DOI

EISSN

1943-8206

Publication Date

January 1, 2021

Volume

13

Issue

2

Start / End Page

462 / 514

Related Subject Headings

  • 5103 Classical physics
  • 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • 4018 Nanotechnology
  • 0205 Optical Physics