Full resolution Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

The complex conjugate ambiguity in Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) is a major roadblock that prevents full-detector resolution for the depth scan in single shot operation for the individual A-scan. Current techniques to eliminate this problem involve changing the experimental set-up, usually complicating the OCT system. In this work we show that the standard FDOCT spectrum data when resampled appropriately can be cast exactly in terms of type-1 discrete cosine transform (DCT). Additionally, a sparse reconstruction method in the DCT domain enables image recovery with full-detector resolution, thus effectively doubling the depth scan resolution. In a realistic simulation study we demonstrate full-detector resolution for a discrete reflective target by successfully resolving closely spaced reflective peaks that cannot be separated using the standard Fourier transform based reconstruction. Experimental results on reflective glass sheet targets further validate the methodology. The results of the proposed technique suggest that full resolution FDOCT systems may be implemented practically without additional hardware costs and system complexity. (paper)