High-speed polarization-sensitive OCT at 1060 nm using a Fourier domain mode-locked swept source

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the 1060nm range is interesting for in vivo imaging of the human posterior eye segment (retina, choroid, sclera), as it permits a long penetration depth. Complementary to structural images, polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) images visualize birefringent, polarization-maintaining or depolarizing areas within the sample.

This information can be used to distinguish retinal layers and structures with different polarization properties. High imaging speed is crucial for imaging ocular structures in vivo in order to minimize motion artifacts while acquiring sufficiently large datasets. Here, we demonstrate PS-OCT imaging at 350 kHz A-scan rate using a two-channel PS-OCT system in conjunction with a Fourier domain mode-locked laser.

The light source spectrum spans up to 100nm around the water absorption minimum at 1060 nm. By modulating the laser pump current, we can optimize the spectrum and achieve a depth resolution of 9 μm in air (6.5 μm in tissue). We acquired retinal images in vivo with high resolution and deep penetration into choroid and sclera, and features like the depolarizing RPE or an increasing phase retardation at the chorio-scleral interface are clearly visualized.