Fiber type of optical coherence tomography with an auto-focus device

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel technique for non-invasive imaging based on low coherence interferometer. In this study, we develop a new optical fiber type of OCT with a commercial auto-focus device to simultaneously measure the refractive index and thickness of a single-layer for demonstration. An auto-focus device can be easily implemented into the new OCT in order to diminish the measurement error resulting from the slight vibration of the sample and/or the sample stage. However, if the conventional OCT is implemented with an auto-focus device, it would be extremely difficult in locating and controlling the positions of the sample and scanning stages. From the experimental results, the error percentage from various frequency of the simulated noise is almost under 0.4%. Due to the resonance frequency of a DVD pickup head is around 40 Hz, the error percentage is apparently highest up to 1%; however still acceptable. It is concluded that the auto-focus device indeed works in an OCT system. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.