Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are frequently interpreted in terms of layers (for example, of tissue) with the boundary defined by a change in refractive index. Real boundaries are rough compared with the wavelength of light, and in this paper we show that this roughness has to be taken into account in interpreting the images. We give an example of the same OCT image obtained from two quite different objects, one smooth compared to the optical wavelength, and the other rough.

© 2011 OSA

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4. Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods, J. Fujimoto, J. Izatt, and V. Tuchin, eds., Proc SPIE 7889 (2011).
5. J. P. Rolland, J. O’Daniel, C. Akcay, T. DeLemos, K. S. Lee, K. I. Cheong, E. Clarkson, R. Chakrabarti, and R. Ferris, “Task-based optimization and performance assessment in optical coherence imaging,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A22(6), 1132–1142 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
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8. M. Kirillin, I. Meglinski, V. Kuzmin, E. Sergeeva, and R. Myllylä, “Simulation of optical coherence tomography images by Monte Carlo modeling based on polarization vector approach,” Opt. Express18(21), 21714–21724 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
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10. P. Imperatore, A. Iodice, and D. Riccio, “Electromagnetic wave scattering from layered structures with an arbitrary number of rough interfaces,” IEEE Trans. Geosci. Rem. Sens.47(4), 1056–1072 (2009). [CrossRef]
11. T. Leskova, A. A. Maradudin, and I. V. Novikov, “Scattering of light from the random interface between two dielectric media with low contrast,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A17(7), 1288 (2000). [CrossRef]

IEEE Trans. Geosci. Rem. Sens.

• P. Imperatore, A. Iodice, and D. Riccio, “Electromagnetic wave scattering from layered structures with an arbitrary number of rough interfaces,” IEEE Trans. Geosci. Rem. Sens.47(4), 1056–1072 (2009). [CrossRef]

J. Opt. Soc. Am. A

• T. Leskova, A. A. Maradudin, and I. V. Novikov, “Scattering of light from the random interface between two dielectric media with low contrast,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A17(7), 1288 (2000). [CrossRef]
• J. P. Rolland, J. O’Daniel, C. Akcay, T. DeLemos, K. S. Lee, K. I. Cheong, E. Clarkson, R. Chakrabarti, and R. Ferris, “Task-based optimization and performance assessment in optical coherence imaging,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A22(6), 1132–1142 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

J. Phys. D Appl. Phys.

• P. Tomlins and R. Wang, “Theory, developments and applications of optical coherence tomography,” J. Phys. D Appl. Phys.38(15), 2519–2535 (2005). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

• M. Kirillin, I. Meglinski, V. Kuzmin, E. Sergeeva, and R. Myllylä, “Simulation of optical coherence tomography images by Monte Carlo modeling based on polarization vector approach,” Opt. Express18(21), 21714–21724 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Phys. Med. Biol.

• G. Yao and L. V. Wang, “Monte Carlo simulation of an optical coherence tomography signal in homogeneous turbid media,” Phys. Med. Biol.44(9), 2307–2320 (1999). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Other

• F. G. Bass and I. M. Fuks, Wave Scattering from Statistically Rough Surfaces (Pergamon, 1979).
• Imaging the Eye from Front to Back with RTVue Fourier-Domain OCT, D. Huang, ed. (Slack Press, 2010).
• M. Brezinski, Optical Coherence Tomography: Principles and Applications (Academic, 2007).
• W. Drexler and J. Fujimoto, Optical Coherence Tomography: Technologies and Applications (Springer, 2008).
• Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods, J. Fujimoto, J. Izatt, and V. Tuchin, eds., Proc SPIE 7889 (2011).

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