Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for confocal microscopy using dispersed structured illumination. In certain embodiments the apparatus also comprises an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, and OCT images acquired from two or more regions of a sample are registered using a corresponding set of two or more larger area images acquired with the confocal microscopy system. In preferred embodiments the apparatus is suitable for analysing the retina of an eye. The confocal microscopy system can be operated in a purely intensity mode or in a coherent mode. In other embodiments a confocal microscopy system using dispersed structured illumination is utilised for surface metrology.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for optical coherence metrology or tomography across an extended area of an eye with improved registration. At least two optical coherence tomograms are acquired, with each tomogram containing data from regions of an anterior surface of the eye that are at least partially overlapping, and data from one or more deeper structures such as the retina or the anterior or posterior lens surfaces. The tomograms are then processed to register the data from the overlapping portions of the anterior surface regions, thereby registering the data from the deeper structures. In certain embodiments the reference arm of the apparatus comprises a compound reflector having at least two axially separated reflective surfaces for applying differential delays to different portions of the reference beam. The depth of field of the apparatus is thereby extended to enable measurement of eye length.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for enhancing the acquisition speed or performance of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. In preferred embodiments a plurality of wavelength combs containing interleaved selections of wavelengths from a multi-wavelength optical source are generated and projected onto a sample. In certain embodiments the wavelength combs are projected simultaneously onto a plurality of regions of the sample, while in other embodiments the wavelength combs are projected sequentially onto the sample. Light in the wavelength combs reflected or scattered from the sample is detected in a single frame of a sensor array, and the detected light processed to obtain a tomographic profile of the sample. In preferred embodiments the wavelength comb generator comprises a wavelength interleaver in the form of a retro-reflective prism array for imparting different displacements to different selections of wavelengths from the optical source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for obtaining high-resolution 3-D images of a sample over a range of wavelengths, optionally with polarisation-sensitive detection. In preferred embodiments a spectral domain OCT apparatus is used to sample the complex field of light reflected or scattered from a sample, providing full range imaging. In certain embodiments structured illumination is utilised to provide enhanced lateral resolution. In certain embodiments the resolution or depth of field of images is enhanced by digital refocusing or digital correction of aberrations in the sample. Individual sample volumes are imaged using single shot techniques, and larger volumes can be imaged by stitching together images of adjacent volumes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for enhancing the acquisition speed or performance of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. In preferred embodiments a plurality of wavelength combs containing interleaved selections of wavelengths from a multi-wavelength optical source are generated and projected onto a sample. In certain embodiments the wavelength combs are projected simultaneously onto a plurality of regions of the sample, while in other embodiments the wavelength combs are projected sequentially onto the sample. Light in the wavelength combs reflected or scattered from the sample is detected in a single frame of a sensor array, and the detected light processed to obtain a tomographic profile of the sample. In preferred embodiments the wavelength comb generator comprises a wavelength interleaver in the form of a retro-reflective prism array for imparting different displacements to different selections of wavelengths from the optical source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for optical coherence metrology or tomography across an extended area of an eye with improved registration. At least two optical coherence tomograms are acquired, with each tomogram containing data from regions of an anterior surface of the eye that are at least partially overlapping, and data from one or more deeper structures such as the retina or the anterior or posterior lens surfaces. The tomograms are then processed to register the data from the overlapping portions of the anterior surface regions, thereby registering the data from the deeper structures. In certain embodiments the reference arm of the apparatus comprises a compound reflector having at least two axially separated reflective surfaces for applying differential delays to different portions of the reference beam. The depth of field of the apparatus is thereby extended to enable measurement of eye length.