Optical coherence tomography contrast enhancement using spectroscopic analysis with spectral autocorrelation

Enhanced tissue contrast in developmental biology specimens is demonstrated in vivo using a new type of spectroscopic optical coherence tomography analysis that is insensitive to spectroscopic noise sources. The technique is based on a statistical analysis of spectral modulation at each image pixel, and provides contrast based on both the intensity of the backscattered light and the distribution of scattering particle sizes. Since the technique does not analyze optical power at absolute wavelengths, it is insensitive to all spectroscopic noise that appears as local Doppler shifts. No exogenous contrast agents or dyes are required, and no additional components are needed to correct for reference arm motion. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.