Coherence Revival Multiplexed, Buffered Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography: 400 KHz Imaging with a 100 KHz Source

The effective speed of a swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) imaging system was quadrupled using efficient sweep buffering along with coherence revival and spatial multiplexing. A polarizing beam splitter and fold mirror assembly were used to create a dual spot sample arm with a common objective designed for near-diffraction-limited retinal imaging. Using coherence revival, a variable optical delay line allowed for separate locations within a sample to be simultaneously imaged and frequency encoded by carefully controlling the optical path length of each sample path. This method can be used to efficiently quadruple the imaging speed of any SSOCT system employing a low duty-cycle laser that exhibits coherence revival. The system was used to image the retina of healthy human volunteers.