Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus that uses optical coherence tomography includes a scanning unit provided within a light path that guides signal light to be incident on an examination object towards the examination object and configured to scan the signal light in a main scanning direction; and a control unit configured to control the scanning unit such that an integration time of an optical interference signal per pixel in at least one predetermined area other than opposite ends, in the main scanning direction, of an image acquisition region scanned by a plurality of main scan lines is increased relative to that of an area other than the predetermined area.

Abstract: An image forming method uses an optical coherence tomography as to an optical axis direction of plural pieces of image information of an object. First image information of an object is obtained at a first focus with respect to an optical axis direction to then object. A focusing position is changed by dynamic focusing from the first focus to a second focus along the optical axis. The second image information of the object is obtained at the second focus. A third image information, tomography image information of the object and including a tomography image of the first focus or the second focus, is obtained by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. A tomography image or a three-dimensional image of the object is formed in positional relation, in the optical axis direction, between the first image information and the second image information using the third image information.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus in an OCT system capable of acquiring tomographic information and moving velocity information of an object at high speed and over a region larger than a spot size. The apparatus splits light including a plurality of lights of at least first and second light into measurement lights and reference lights and acquires tomographic information and moving velocity information of an object, having: a scanning optical system for scanning with the measurement light; an optical system for applying the measurement light to different spot positions; interference signal generating devices which generate first and second interference signals from a return light obtained when the measurement light is applied to the positions and the reference light reflected by a reference mirror; and a signal processing device which calculates a variation in phase using the interference signals and computes a moving velocity of the object.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes changing unit for changing a positional relation of irradiation positions of a plurality of measuring beams to be radiated onto an object. The imaging apparatus includes scanning unit for scanning the plurality of measuring beams in the positional relation which has been changed by the changing unit, and acquiring unit for acquiring an optical coherence tomographic image of the object on the basis of the plurality of measuring beams.

Abstract: A schematic eye used for the evaluation of the optical system of an optical coherence tomography apparatus which captures a tomogram of the fundus includes the first optical member which irradiated light from the optical system strikes and the second optical member which irradiated light from the first optical member strikes. A plurality of layers having different scattering intensities in the incident direction of irradiated light are formed on the second optical member.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus which forms a pattern on an object. The apparatus includes an exposure head structure in which a plurality of elemental exposure units are arrayed, each elemental exposure unit including (i) at least one light source for emitting exposure light and (ii) an optical element which forms an image of the at least one light source on the object, for exposing the object. Positions of the images of the at least one light source in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the object include plural positions different from each other. A sensor detects a position of the surface of the object and produces a detection result. A controller receives the detection result and controls the exposure head structure such that a pattern is formed on the object by the exposure is selected to expose the object based on the detection result by the sensor.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method of picking up a cross-sectional image of an object comprises scanning a predetermined region of the object with spots of a plurality of measurement lights in the same direction so as to irradiate different positions of the object with different spots, detecting interference signals formed by the plurality of return lights reflected or scattered by the object and a plurality of corresponding reference lights reflected by a reference mirror, and executing an arithmetic process on the detected interference signals based on a displacement amount between the different spot positions using interference signals corresponding to at least two of the spots out of the respective interference signals. The region to be scanned has a length smaller than the sum of diameters of the spots in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method is provided in which light from a light source is split into a measuring beam and a reference beam, the measuring beam being moved by a scanning optical system and guided to an object to be examined, the reference beam being guided to a reference mirror, and in which a tomogram of the object is generated from a return beam of the measuring beam reflected or scattered by the object and the reference beam reflected by the reference mirror. The method includes acquiring longitudinal sectional information on the object, calculating depth-position information on the object from the longitudinal sectional information, and acquiring a three-dimensional surface image of the object by controlling a reference-path length defined by the reference mirror and a scanning operation of the scanning optical system in accordance with the depth-position information on the object.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus that uses optical coherence tomography includes a scanning unit provided within a light path that guides signal light to be incident on an examination object towards the examination object and configured to scan the signal light in a main scanning direction; and a control unit configured to control the scanning unit such that an integration time of an optical interference signal per pixel in at least one predetermined area other than opposite ends, in the main scanning direction, of an image acquisition region scanned by a plurality of main scan lines is increased relative to that of an area other than the predetermined area.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus for splitting light emitted from a light source into reference light and signal light and creating an optical coherence tomographic image and tomographic spectral information in a predetermined spectral analyzing portion in the optical coherence tomographic image based on optical interference signal information of the reference light and the signal light which are incident on an inspection target and reflected on respective layers, the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus including a spectral information processing unit for performing a spectral information calculation using an optical interference signal of a deeper region and creating the tomographic spectral information of the spectral analyzing portion. With this arrangement, spectral information corresponding to the optical coherence tomographic image can be output with high wavelength accuracy.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method is provided in which light from a light source is split into a measuring beam and a reference beam, the measuring beam being moved by a scanning optical system and guided to an object to be examined, the reference beam being guided to a reference mirror, and in which a tomogram of the object is generated from a return beam of the measuring beam reflected or scattered by the object and the reference beam reflected by the reference mirror. The method includes acquiring longitudinal sectional information on the object, calculating depth-position information on the object from the longitudinal sectional information, and acquiring a three-dimensional surface image of the object by controlling a reference-path length defined by the reference mirror and a scanning operation of the scanning optical system in accordance with the depth-position information on the object.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus that uses optical coherence tomography includes a scanning unit provided within a light path that guides signal light to be incident on an examination object towards the examination object and configured to scan the signal light in a main scanning direction; and a control unit configured to control the scanning unit such that an integration time of an optical interference signal per pixel in at least one predetermined area other than opposite ends, in the main scanning direction, of an image acquisition region scanned by a plurality of main scan lines is increased relative to that of an area other than the predetermined area.

Abstract: An information-acquiring device for acquiring information on an objective substance to be detected, which is provided with a sensing element that has a surface capable of fixing the objective substance to be detected thereon, and makes applied light change its wavelength characteristics in response to the fixed state of the objective substance to be detected onto the surface, a light source, and light-receiving means for receiving light emitted from the light source through the sensing element, has the light-receiving means and the light source arranged on the same substrate so that the light which has been emitted from the light source and has been transmitted through the sensing element can be led to the light-receiving means, and has means for varying the wavelength regions of each light incident on each of a plurality of the light-receiving means installed in an optical path from the light source to the light-receiving means.

Abstract: Provided is a method for easily improving image quality in an optical tomographic imaging apparatus. An optical tomographic image generation method of generating a tomographic image of an object includes: acquiring a signal; performing Fourier transform; and obtaining the tomographic image. The optical tomographic image generation method further includes one of the steps of combining a plurality of the signals acquired within a predetermined time and combining a plurality of the signals acquired within a predetermined time after performed the Fourier transform thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical tomographic image generating method including: obtaining signals for a plurality of frames; obtaining respective complex number data by performing Fourier transformation of the signals for the plurality of frames; synthesizing the plurality of frames using the respective complex number data; generating a tomographic image based on the synthesized data. This configuration enables easy enhancement of the image quality in an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method for acquiring information includes the steps of preparing a laser having a micro-cavity, and detecting a light emitted from the laser. An oscillation state of the laser is changed according to a change of an environmental condition around the micro-cavity, and the light emitted from the laser is changed.

Abstract: A detection device is provided which comprises an examination flow channel for passing a fluid containing a detection object, a reference flow channel extending adjacently along the examination flow channel, an interaction film interposed between the examination flow channel and the reference flow channel for causing an interaction thereof, a light emission unit for injecting a detecting light into the reference flow channel, and a detection unit for receiving the detecting light. This device is used for recognizing the state of the detection object in the examination flow channel from deflection of the optical path of the detecting light caused by the interaction.

Abstract: Provided is an optical tomographic imaging apparatus that is capable of shortening a period of time of focusing at multiple focus positions when images split in a depth direction are obtained by zone focusing. The optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes: a focus position setting device for splitting a zone within a predetermined imaging depth range into multiple focus zones so as to set multiple focus positions; a reference position setting device for setting at least two reference positions in an imaging depth direction within the predetermined imaging depth range; and a focus controlling device for performing focusing at the multiple focus positions sequentially based on focus position information generated by the focus position setting device and determining a focus condition of an in-focus state for the at least two reference positions set in advance by the reference position setting device.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus that uses optical coherence tomography includes a scanning unit provided within a light path that guides signal light to be incident on an examination object towards the examination object and configured to scan the signal light in a main scanning direction; and a control unit configured to control the scanning unit such that an integration time of an optical interference signal per pixel in at least one predetermined area other than opposite ends, in the main scanning direction, of an image acquisition region scanned by a plurality of main scan lines is increased relative to that of an area other than the predetermined area.

Abstract: An image forming method uses an optical coherence tomography as to an optical axis direction of plural pieces of image information of an object. First image information of an object is obtained at a first focus with respect to an optical axis direction to then object. A focusing position is changed by dynamic focusing from the first focus to a second focus along the optical axis. The second image information of the object is obtained at the second focus. A third image information, tomography image information of the object and including a tomography image of the first focus or the second focus, is obtained by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. A tomography image or a three-dimensional image of the object is formed in positional relation, in the optical axis direction, between the first image information and the second image information using the third image information.