Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a simple configuration capable of correctly detecting malfunction of an OCT apparatus by detecting the states of a light source and a sensor. An image pickup apparatus includes a switching unit that switches between a first mode in which a combined light beam of a return light beam from a specimen and a reference light beam is detectable by a detecting unit and a second mode in which the reference light beam is detectable by the detecting unit. The image pickup apparatus is switchable to the first mode on the basis of an intensity of the reference light beam detected by the detecting unit in the second mode.

Abstract: In order to perform accurate evaluation for enhanced depth imaging (EDI) in which a tomographic image of a retina has a low luminance value in large part, provided is an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus for acquiring an image of an object to be inspected by irradiating the object to be inspected with measuring light and causing return light from the object to be inspected to interfere with reference light, the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus including: a unit for setting an imaging parameter of the image; a unit for selecting an image quality evaluation index in accordance with the imaging parameter; a unit for acquiring an image characteristic amount from the acquired image in accordance with the set imaging parameter; and a unit for evaluating image quality of the image based on the image characteristic amount and the image quality evaluation index.

Abstract: Measuring light with a wide wavelength band is used to provide a tomographic image excellent in vertical resolution. An optical coherence tomography apparatus acquiring a tomographic image of an object to be inspected based on an interference light obtained by causing a return light from a measuring light emitted onto the object to be inspected to interfere with a reference light corresponding to the measuring light, includes: a first dispersion compensation unit having a first dispersion compensation characteristic in a wavelength band of the measuring light; a second dispersion compensation unit provided onto the first dispersion compensation unit and having a second dispersion compensation characteristic in the wavelength band of the measuring light.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of an object based on light obtained by combining returning light from the object, which is irradiated with measurement light, and reference light corresponding to that measurement light, the imaging apparatus comprising: a reference light splitting unit adapted to split the reference light into a plurality of reference light beams of different wavelength ranges, and a plurality of dispersion compensation units adapted to compensate dispersion in accordance with wavelength ranges of the plurality of reference light beams, the dispersion compensation units being provided in respective light paths of the plurality of reference light beams.

Abstract: Since known detection devices include detectors of the same number as that of samples, the system configuration is complicated. According to the present invention, therefore, a plurality of electromagnetic-wave-transmission lines with different propagation-delay times and a coupled-transmission line coupling the electromagnetic-wave-transmission lines with each other are provided, and an electromagnetic wave is detected by the same electromagnetic-wave-detection unit. Subsequently, a detection device including at least one electromagnetic-wave detector of a number smaller than that of samples can be provided, which decreases the system complexity.

Abstract: In order to perform accurate evaluation for enhanced depth imaging (EDI) in which a tomographic image of a retina has a low luminance value in large part, provided is an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus for acquiring an image of an object to be inspected by irradiating the object to be inspected with measuring light and causing return light from the object to be inspected to interfere with reference light, the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus including: a unit for setting an imaging parameter of the image; a unit for selecting an image quality evaluation index in accordance with the imaging parameter; a unit for acquiring an image characteristic amount from the acquired image in accordance with the set imaging parameter; and a unit for evaluating image quality of the image based on the image characteristic amount and the image quality evaluation index.

Abstract: Measuring light with a wide wavelength band is used to provide a tomographic image excellent in vertical resolution. An optical coherence tomography apparatus acquiring a tomographic image of an object to be inspected based on an interference light obtained by causing a return light from a measuring light emitted onto the object to be inspected to interfere with a reference light corresponding to the measuring light, includes: a first dispersion compensation unit having a first dispersion compensation characteristic in a wavelength band of the measuring light; a second dispersion compensation unit provided onto the first dispersion compensation unit and having a second dispersion compensation characteristic in the wavelength band of the measuring light.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of an object based on light obtained by combining returning light from the object, which is irradiated with measurement light, and reference light corresponding to that measurement light, the imaging apparatus comprising: a reference light splitting unit adapted to split the reference light into a plurality of reference light beams of different wavelength ranges, and a plurality of dispersion compensation units adapted to compensate dispersion in accordance with wavelength ranges of the plurality of reference light beams, the dispersion compensation units being provided in respective light paths of the plurality of reference light beams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a simple configuration capable of correctly detecting malfunction of an OCT apparatus by detecting the states of a light source and a sensor. An image pickup apparatus includes a switching unit that switches between a first mode in which a combined light beam of a return light beam from a specimen and a reference light beam is detectable by a detecting unit and a second mode in which the reference light beam is detectable by the detecting unit. The image pickup apparatus is switchable to the first mode on the basis of an intensity of the reference light beam detected by the detecting unit in the second mode.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for acquiring information on a measurement object using electromagnetic waves, comprising a substrate; a transmission line that is formed on the substrate; an electromagnetic wave generating unit for supplying an electromagnetic wave to the transmission line; an electromagnetic wave detecting unit for detecting the electromagnetic wave that has propagated through the transmission line; and a walled structure. The walled structure includes a side wall portion that extends along the transmission line within a region in which the electromagnetic wave that propagates through the transmission line and the measurement object interact with each other.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a transmission path, an electromagnetic-wave input unit through which an electromagnetic wave enters the transmission path, an electromagnetic-wave detector configured to detect the electromagnetic wave propagating through the transmission path, and a bent portion provided in the transmission path. The electromagnetic wave propagates through the transmission path while radiating to the periphery of the transmission path. The bent portion is provided in the transmission path for allowing an interaction to occur between a test subject and the electromagnetic wave in the transmission path. When the test subject is positioned relative to the bent portion, the electromagnetic-wave detector detects a change in the state of the electromagnetic wave caused by the interaction occurring between the test subject and the electromagnetic wave in the bent portion. The detected information provides a basis for obtaining information on the test subject.

Abstract: Since known detection devices include detectors of the same number as that of samples, the system configuration is complicated. According to the present invention, therefore, a plurality of electromagnetic-wave-transmission lines with different propagation-delay times and a coupled-transmission line coupling the electromagnetic-wave-transmission lines with each other are provided, and an electromagnetic wave is detected by the same electromagnetic-wave-detection unit. Subsequently, a detection device including at least one electromagnetic-wave detector of a number smaller than that of samples can be provided, which decreases the system complexity.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for acquiring information on a measurement object using electromagnetic waves, comprising a substrate; a transmission line that is formed on the substrate; an electromagnetic wave generating unit for supplying an electromagnetic wave to the transmission line; an electromagnetic wave detecting unit for detecting the electromagnetic wave that has propagated through the transmission line; and a walled structure. The walled structure includes a side wall portion that extends along the transmission line within a region in which the electromagnetic wave that propagates through the transmission line and the measurement object interact with each other.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a transmission path, an electromagnetic-wave input unit through which an electromagnetic wave enters the transmission path, an electromagnetic-wave detector configured to detect the electromagnetic wave propagating through the transmission path, and a bent portion provided in the transmission path. The electromagnetic wave propagates through the transmission path while radiating to the periphery of the transmission path. The bent portion is provided in the transmission path for allowing an interaction to occur between a test subject and the electromagnetic wave in the transmission path. When the test subject is positioned relative to the bent portion, the electromagnetic-wave detector detects a change in the state of the electromagnetic wave caused by the interaction occurring between the test subject and the electromagnetic wave in the bent portion. The detected information provides a basis for obtaining information on the test subject.