Optimal integration time in OCT imaging

Lorenz Martin; Stephan Gräub; Christoph Meier

doi:10.1117/12.2182804

9 July 2015 Optimal integration time in OCT imaging

Lorenz Martin, Stephan Gräub, Christoph Meier

Proceedings Volume 9541, Optical Coherence Imaging Techniques and Imaging in Scattering Media; 95411G (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2182804
Event: European Conferences on Biomedical Optics, 2015, Munich, Germany

Abstract

When measuring static objects with 3D OCT, two opposing trends occur: If the integration time is too short, the measurement is noisy resulting in granulated textures on measured objects. If the integration time is too long, drifts e.g. due to thermal effects or unstable laser sources lead to blurred images. The Allan variance is a scheme to find the optimal integration time in terms of reducing noise without picking up signal drift. A long-term measurement with short integration time of a reference target under realistic conditions is needed to obtain the database for the calculation of the Allan variance. Longer integration times are simulated by taking averages of subsequent samples. The Allan variance being the mean of the squared differences between two consecutive averages is calculated for different integration times. The optimal integration time is achieved for minimal Allan variance. First, the scheme is explained and discussed with simulated data. Then, reference measurements of layers of adhesive tape made with a 3D OCT device are analysed to find the optimal integration time of the device. Finally, the findings are applied to the detection of water inclusions in calcite. With too short integration time the water inclusions appear with a stained surface. With the integration time increased towards the optimal time, the surfaces of the water inclusions get smoother and easier to discriminate from the background. Ready-to-use Octave code for the computation of the Allan variance is provided.

Citation Download Citation

Lorenz Martin, Stephan Gräub, and Christoph Meier "Optimal integration time in OCT imaging", Proc. SPIE 9541, Optical Coherence Imaging Techniques and Imaging in Scattering Media, 95411G (9 July 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2182804

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
6 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Optical coherence tomography

Interference (communication)

Calcite

Adhesives

3D metrology

3D image processing

Databases

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years