Optical coherence tomography of strongly scattering media

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p>Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a modern rapidly developing technique for non-invasive imaging of the internal structure of optically non-uniform objects based on the principles of low-coherent interferometry. However, multiple scattering of light in the objects under study brings distortions to the images obtained by OCT. The analysis of formation of the OCT signals is required for understanding the role of multiple scattering in this formation and providing recommendations for optimal configuration of a measuring setup. In the present thesis formation of the OCT signals and images is analyzed implementing Monte Carlo simulations of light propagation in scattering media. Blood, intralipid solution, human skin and paper samples are chosen as the objects under study due to the interest in the diagnostics of these objects in biomedicine and paper industry.</p><p>Multilayer models of skin phantoms, skin and paper were developed in the frames of the present study for simulation of OCT signals and two-dimensional OCT images of these objects. The contribution of different scattering orders as well as different fractions of photons (least and multiply scattered, diffusive and non-diffusive) to these images was found allowing to evaluate the maximal depth of non-distorted imaging in each particular case.</p><p>The simulated OCT images were compared to the experimental ones demonstrating qualitative similarity. This fact allowed the author to analyze qualitatively the influence of parameters of the OCT setup on the images which have also been acquired in this work. The formation of the OCT images of paper samples with various refractive index matching liquids was also studied.</p></div>