Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the spectral domain is demonstrated simultaneously at two wavelength bands centered at 800 nm and 1250 nm. A novel commercial supercontinuum laser is applied as a single low coherence broadband light source. The emission spectrum of the source is shaped by optical and spatial filtering in order to achieve an adequate double peak spectrum containing the wavelength bands 700 - 900 nm and 1100 - 1400 nm for dual-band OCT imaging and thus reducing the radiation exposure of the sample. Each wavelength band is analyzed with an individual spectrometer at an A-scan rate of about 12 kHz which enables real-time imaging for the examination of moving samples. A common path optical setup optimized for both spectral regions with a separate single fiber-based scanning unit was realized which facilitates flexible handling and easy access to the measurement area. The free-space axial resolutions were measured to be less than 4.5 µm and 7 µm at 800 nm and 1250 nm, respectively. Three-dimensional imaging ten times faster than previously reported with a signal-to-noise-ratio of above 90 dB is achieved simultaneously in both wavelength bands. Spectral domain dual-band OCT combines real-time imaging with high resolution at 800 nm and enhanced penetration depth at 1250 nm and therefore provides a well suited tool for in vivo vasodynamic measurements. Further, spatially resolved spectral features of the sample are obtained by means of comparing the backscattering properties at two different wavelength bands. The ability of dual-band OCT to enhance tissue contrast and the sensitivity of this imaging modality to wavelength-dependent sample birefringence is demonstrated.

© 2009 OSA

1. J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography for ultrahigh resolution in vivo imaging,” Nat. Biotechnol. 21(11), 1361–1367 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. G. Maguluri, M. Mujat, B. H. Park, K. H. Kim, W. Sun, N. V. Iftimia, R. D. Ferguson, D. X. Hammer, T. C. Chen, and J. F. de Boer, “Three dimensional tracking for volumetric spectral-domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 15(25), 16808–16817 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. M. Yamanari, M. Miura, S. Makita, T. Yatagai, and Y. Yasuno, “Phase retardation measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer by polarization-sensitive spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and scanning laser polarimetry,” J. Biomed. Opt. 13(1), 014013 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
4. T. Xie, S. Guo, Z. Chen, D. Mukai, and M. Brenner, “GRIN lens rod based probe for endoscopic spectral domain optical coherence tomography with fast dynamic focus tracking,” Opt. Express 14(8), 3238–3246 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
5. R. K. Wang and S. Hurst, “Mapping of cerebro-vascular blood perfusion in mice with skin and skull intact by Optical Micro-AngioGraphy at 1.3 mum wavelength,” Opt. Express 15(18), 11402–11412 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. T. H. Ko, D. C. Adler, J. G. Fujimoto, D. Mamedov, V. Prokhorov, V. Shidlovski, and S. Yakubovich, “Ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography imaging with a broadband superluminescent diode light source,” Opt. Express 12(10), 2112–2119 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
7. B. E. Bouma, G. J. Tearney, I. P. Bilinsky, B. Golubovic, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Self-phase-modulated Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser source for optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 21(22), 1839–1841 (1996). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
8. W. Drexler, U. Morgner, F. X. Kärtner, C. Pitris, S. A. Boppart, X. D. Li, E. P. Ippen, and J. G. Fujimoto, “In vivo ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 24(17), 1221–1223 (1999). [CrossRef]
9. R. Leitgeb, W. Drexler, A. Unterhuber, B. Hermann, T. Bajraszewski, T. Le, A. Stingl, and A. Fercher, “Ultrahigh resolution Fourier domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 12(10), 2156–2165 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
10. B. Povazay, K. Bizheva, A. Unterhuber, B. Hermann, H. Sattmann, A. F. Fercher, W. Drexler, A. Apolonski, W. J. Wadsworth, J. C. Knight, P. St. J. Russell, M. Vetterlein, and E. Scherzer, “Submicrometer axial resolution optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 27(20), 1800–1802 (2002). [CrossRef]
11. A. Aguirre, N. Nishizawa, J. Fujimoto, W. Seitz, M. Lederer, and D. Kopf, “Continuum generation in a novel photonic crystal fiber for ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography at 800 nm and 1300 nm,” Opt. Express 14(3), 1145–1160 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
12. H. Wang and A. M. Rollins, “Optimization of dual-band continuum light source for ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography,” Appl. Opt. 46(10), 1787–1794 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
13. J. M. Schmitt, A. Knüttel, M. Yadlowsky, and M. A. Eckhaus, “Optical-coherence tomography of a dense tissue: statistics of attenuation and backscattering,” Phys. Med. Biol. 39(10), 1705–1720 (1994). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
14. Y. Pan and D. L. Farkas, “Noninvasive imaging of living human skin with dual-wavelength optical coherence tomography in two and three dimensions,” J. Biomed. Opt. 3(4), 446–455 (1998). [CrossRef]
15. F. Feldchtein, V. Gelikonov, R. Iksanov, G. Gelikonov, R. Kuranov, A. Sergeev, N. Gladkova, M. Ourutina, D. Reitze, and J. Warren, “In vivo OCT imaging of hard and soft tissue of the oral cavity,” Opt. Express 3(6), 239–250 (1998). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
16. M. Pircher, E. Götzinger, R. Leitgeb, A. F. Fercher, and C. K. Hitzenberger, “Speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography by frequency compounding,” J. Biomed. Opt. 8(3), 565–569 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
17. J. M. Schmitt, S. H. Xiang, and K. M. Yung, “Differential absorption imaging with optical coherence tomography,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. 15(9), 2288–2296 (1998). [CrossRef]
18. M. Pircher, E. Götzinger, R. Leitgeb, A. Fercher, and C. Hitzenberger, “Measurement and imaging of water concentration in human cornea with differential absorption optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11(18), 2190–2197 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
19. F. Spöler, S. Kray, P. Grychtol, B. Hermes, J. Bornemann, M. Först, and H. Kurz, “Simultaneous dual-band ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 15(17), 10832–10841 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
20. D. Sacchet, J. Moreau, P. Georges, and A. Dubois, “Simultaneous dual-band ultra-high resolution full-field optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 16(24), 19434–19446 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
21. S. Kray, F. Spöler, M. Först, and H. Kurz, “High-resolution simultaneous dual-band spectral domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 34(13), 1970–1972 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
22. R. Leitgeb, C. Hitzenberger, and A. Fercher, “Performance of fourier domain vs. time domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11(8), 889–894 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
23. R. Cernat, G. M. Dobre, I. Trifanov, L. Neagu, A. Bradu, M. Hughes, and A. Gh, “Podoleanu, “Investigations of OCT imaging performance using a unique source providing several spectral wavebands,” Proc. SPIE 6847, 68470U (2008). [CrossRef]
24. S. Yun, G. Tearney, B. Bouma, B. Park, and J. de Boer, “High-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 1.3 mum wavelength,” Opt. Express 11(26), 3598–3604 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
25. N. Nassif, B. Cense, B. Park, M. Pierce, S. Yun, B. Bouma, G. Tearney, T. Chen, and J. de Boer, “In vivo high-resolution video-rate spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the human retina and optic nerve,” Opt. Express 12(3), 367–376 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
26. T. Bajraszewski, M. Wojtkowski, M. Szkulmowski, A. Szkulmowska, R. Huber, and A. Kowalczyk, “Improved spectral optical coherence tomography using optical frequency comb,” Opt. Express 16(6), 4163–4176 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
27. I. K. Jang, B. E. Bouma, D. H. Kang, S. J. Park, S. W. Park, K. B. Seung, K. B. Choi, M. Shishkov, K. Schlendorf, E. Pomerantsev, S. L. Houser, H. T. Aretz, and G. J. Tearney, “Visualization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients using optical coherence tomography: comparison with intravascular ultrasound,” J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 39(4), 604–609 (2002). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
28. M. Mogensen, J. B. Thomsen, L. T. Skovgaard, and G. B. E. Jemec, “Nail thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography and 20-MHz ultrasonography,” Br. J. Dermatol. 157(5), 894–900 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
29. B. Park, M. Pierce, B. Cense, and J. de Boer, “Real-time multi-functional optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11(7), 782–793 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
30. S. Meissner, G. Müller, J. Walther, H. Morawietz, and E. Koch, “In-vivo Fourier domain optical coherence tomography as a new tool for investigation of vasodynamics in the mouse model,” J. Biomed. Opt. 14(3), 034027 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
31. J. Walther, G. Mueller, H. Morawietz, and E. Koch, “Analysis of in vitro and in vivo bidirectional flow velocities by phase-resolved Doppler Fourier-domain OCT,” Sens. Actuators A Phys. in press.
32. U. Morgner, W. Drexler, F. X. Kärtner, X. D. Li, C. Pitris, E. P. Ippen, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 25(2), 111–113 (2000). [CrossRef]
33. D. Adler, T. Ko, P. Herz, and J. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography contrast enhancement using spectroscopic analysis with spectral autocorrelation,” Opt. Express 12(22), 5487–5501 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
34. A. Dubois, J. Moreau, and C. Boccara, “Spectroscopic ultrahigh-resolution full-field optical coherence microscopy,” Opt. Express 16(21), 17082–17091 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Appl. Opt.

• H. Wang and A. M. Rollins, “Optimization of dual-band continuum light source for ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography,” Appl. Opt. 46(10), 1787–1794 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Br. J. Dermatol.

• M. Mogensen, J. B. Thomsen, L. T. Skovgaard, and G. B. E. Jemec, “Nail thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography and 20-MHz ultrasonography,” Br. J. Dermatol. 157(5), 894–900 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.

• I. K. Jang, B. E. Bouma, D. H. Kang, S. J. Park, S. W. Park, K. B. Seung, K. B. Choi, M. Shishkov, K. Schlendorf, E. Pomerantsev, S. L. Houser, H. T. Aretz, and G. J. Tearney, “Visualization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients using optical coherence tomography: comparison with intravascular ultrasound,” J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 39(4), 604–609 (2002). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

J. Biomed. Opt.

• S. Meissner, G. Müller, J. Walther, H. Morawietz, and E. Koch, “In-vivo Fourier domain optical coherence tomography as a new tool for investigation of vasodynamics in the mouse model,” J. Biomed. Opt. 14(3), 034027 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• Y. Pan and D. L. Farkas, “Noninvasive imaging of living human skin with dual-wavelength optical coherence tomography in two and three dimensions,” J. Biomed. Opt. 3(4), 446–455 (1998). [CrossRef]
• M. Pircher, E. Götzinger, R. Leitgeb, A. F. Fercher, and C. K. Hitzenberger, “Speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography by frequency compounding,” J. Biomed. Opt. 8(3), 565–569 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. Yamanari, M. Miura, S. Makita, T. Yatagai, and Y. Yasuno, “Phase retardation measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer by polarization-sensitive spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and scanning laser polarimetry,” J. Biomed. Opt. 13(1), 014013 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

J. Opt. Soc. Am.

• J. M. Schmitt, S. H. Xiang, and K. M. Yung, “Differential absorption imaging with optical coherence tomography,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. 15(9), 2288–2296 (1998). [CrossRef]

Nat. Biotechnol.

• J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography for ultrahigh resolution in vivo imaging,” Nat. Biotechnol. 21(11), 1361–1367 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Express

• G. Maguluri, M. Mujat, B. H. Park, K. H. Kim, W. Sun, N. V. Iftimia, R. D. Ferguson, D. X. Hammer, T. C. Chen, and J. F. de Boer, “Three dimensional tracking for volumetric spectral-domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 15(25), 16808–16817 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• R. Leitgeb, W. Drexler, A. Unterhuber, B. Hermann, T. Bajraszewski, T. Le, A. Stingl, and A. Fercher, “Ultrahigh resolution Fourier domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 12(10), 2156–2165 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• T. Xie, S. Guo, Z. Chen, D. Mukai, and M. Brenner, “GRIN lens rod based probe for endoscopic spectral domain optical coherence tomography with fast dynamic focus tracking,” Opt. Express 14(8), 3238–3246 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• R. K. Wang and S. Hurst, “Mapping of cerebro-vascular blood perfusion in mice with skin and skull intact by Optical Micro-AngioGraphy at 1.3 mum wavelength,” Opt. Express 15(18), 11402–11412 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• T. H. Ko, D. C. Adler, J. G. Fujimoto, D. Mamedov, V. Prokhorov, V. Shidlovski, and S. Yakubovich, “Ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography imaging with a broadband superluminescent diode light source,” Opt. Express 12(10), 2112–2119 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. Pircher, E. Götzinger, R. Leitgeb, A. Fercher, and C. Hitzenberger, “Measurement and imaging of water concentration in human cornea with differential absorption optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11(18), 2190–2197 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• F. Spöler, S. Kray, P. Grychtol, B. Hermes, J. Bornemann, M. Först, and H. Kurz, “Simultaneous dual-band ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 15(17), 10832–10841 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• D. Sacchet, J. Moreau, P. Georges, and A. Dubois, “Simultaneous dual-band ultra-high resolution full-field optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 16(24), 19434–19446 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• F. Feldchtein, V. Gelikonov, R. Iksanov, G. Gelikonov, R. Kuranov, A. Sergeev, N. Gladkova, M. Ourutina, D. Reitze, and J. Warren, “In vivo OCT imaging of hard and soft tissue of the oral cavity,” Opt. Express 3(6), 239–250 (1998). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• D. Adler, T. Ko, P. Herz, and J. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography contrast enhancement using spectroscopic analysis with spectral autocorrelation,” Opt. Express 12(22), 5487–5501 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• A. Dubois, J. Moreau, and C. Boccara, “Spectroscopic ultrahigh-resolution full-field optical coherence microscopy,” Opt. Express 16(21), 17082–17091 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• A. Aguirre, N. Nishizawa, J. Fujimoto, W. Seitz, M. Lederer, and D. Kopf, “Continuum generation in a novel photonic crystal fiber for ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography at 800 nm and 1300 nm,” Opt. Express 14(3), 1145–1160 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• B. Park, M. Pierce, B. Cense, and J. de Boer, “Real-time multi-functional optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11(7), 782–793 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• R. Leitgeb, C. Hitzenberger, and A. Fercher, “Performance of fourier domain vs. time domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11(8), 889–894 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• S. Yun, G. Tearney, B. Bouma, B. Park, and J. de Boer, “High-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 1.3 mum wavelength,” Opt. Express 11(26), 3598–3604 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• N. Nassif, B. Cense, B. Park, M. Pierce, S. Yun, B. Bouma, G. Tearney, T. Chen, and J. de Boer, “In vivo high-resolution video-rate spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the human retina and optic nerve,” Opt. Express 12(3), 367–376 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• T. Bajraszewski, M. Wojtkowski, M. Szkulmowski, A. Szkulmowska, R. Huber, and A. Kowalczyk, “Improved spectral optical coherence tomography using optical frequency comb,” Opt. Express 16(6), 4163–4176 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Lett.

• U. Morgner, W. Drexler, F. X. Kärtner, X. D. Li, C. Pitris, E. P. Ippen, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 25(2), 111–113 (2000). [CrossRef]
• S. Kray, F. Spöler, M. Först, and H. Kurz, “High-resolution simultaneous dual-band spectral domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 34(13), 1970–1972 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• B. E. Bouma, G. J. Tearney, I. P. Bilinsky, B. Golubovic, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Self-phase-modulated Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser source for optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 21(22), 1839–1841 (1996). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• W. Drexler, U. Morgner, F. X. Kärtner, C. Pitris, S. A. Boppart, X. D. Li, E. P. Ippen, and J. G. Fujimoto, “In vivo ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 24(17), 1221–1223 (1999). [CrossRef]
• B. Povazay, K. Bizheva, A. Unterhuber, B. Hermann, H. Sattmann, A. F. Fercher, W. Drexler, A. Apolonski, W. J. Wadsworth, J. C. Knight, P. St. J. Russell, M. Vetterlein, and E. Scherzer, “Submicrometer axial resolution optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Lett. 27(20), 1800–1802 (2002). [CrossRef]

Phys. Med. Biol.

• J. M. Schmitt, A. Knüttel, M. Yadlowsky, and M. A. Eckhaus, “Optical-coherence tomography of a dense tissue: statistics of attenuation and backscattering,” Phys. Med. Biol. 39(10), 1705–1720 (1994). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Proc. SPIE

• R. Cernat, G. M. Dobre, I. Trifanov, L. Neagu, A. Bradu, M. Hughes, and A. Gh, “Podoleanu, “Investigations of OCT imaging performance using a unique source providing several spectral wavebands,” Proc. SPIE 6847, 68470U (2008). [CrossRef]

Sens. Actuators A Phys.

• J. Walther, G. Mueller, H. Morawietz, and E. Koch, “Analysis of in vitro and in vivo bidirectional flow velocities by phase-resolved Doppler Fourier-domain OCT,” Sens. Actuators A Phys. in press.

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