中红外光学相干断层扫描
Mid-infrared optical coherence tomography.
作者信息
Colley Christopher S, Hebden Jeremy C, Delpy David T, Cambrey Alison D, Brown Robert A, Zibik Evgeny A, Ng Wing H, Wilson Luke R, Cockburn John W
机构信息
Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
出版信息
Rev Sci Instrum. 2007 Dec;78(12):123108. doi: 10.1063/1.2821609.
A time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is described that uses mid-infrared light (6-8 microm). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first OCT system that operates in the mid-infrared spectral region. It has been designed to characterize bioengineered tissues in terms of their structure and biochemical composition. The system is based upon a free-space Michelson interferometer with a germanium beam splitter and a liquid nitrogen cooled HgCdTe detector. A key component of this work has been the development of a broadband quantum cascade laser source (InGaAs/AlInAs containing 11 different active regions of the three well vertical transition type) that emits continuously over the 6-8 microm wavelength range. This wavelength range corresponds to the so called "mid-infrared fingerprint region" which exhibits well-defined absorption bands that are specifically attributable to the absorbing molecules. Therefore, this technology provides an opportunity for optical coherence molecular imaging without the need for molecular contrast agents. Preliminary measurements are presented.
描述了一种使用中红外光(6 - 8微米)的时域光学相干断层扫描(OCT)系统。据我们所知,这是首个在中红外光谱区域运行的OCT系统。它被设计用于根据生物工程组织的结构和生化组成对其进行表征。该系统基于一个带有锗分束器和液氮冷却的HgCdTe探测器的自由空间迈克尔逊干涉仪。这项工作的一个关键组件是宽带量子级联激光源(包含11个不同有源区的三阱垂直跃迁型InGaAs/AlInAs),其在6 - 8微米波长范围内连续发射。这个波长范围对应于所谓的“中红外指纹区”,该区域呈现出明确的吸收带,这些吸收带特别归因于吸收分子。因此,这项技术为无需分子造影剂的光学相干分子成像提供了机会。文中给出了初步测量结果。