Dispersion compensation in OFDI-OCT by using dispersion shifted fiber

We demonstrate dispersion compensation by using a dispersion shifted fiber (zero dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm) in an optical-frequency domain imaging (OFDI) - optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for tooth imaging. In the system, we use a tunable laser diode operating in the 1550 nm wavelength region (1533-1573 nm) as a light source, because we can expect a smaller absorption coefficient for the enamel layer of a tooth than with a 1300 nm light source. This simple and cost-effective method provides an axial resolution of 27 &mgr;m in air, which is the theoretically expected value, although the value is 36 &mgr;m without compensation. By measuring an extracted human tooth with compensation, we also confirm the realization of greatly improved contrast at the boundary between the enamel and dentin layers. This compensation technique might prove even more effective if we use a light source with a wider wavelength range.

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