Manifestation of aberrations in full-field optical coherence tomography
Victor Barolle, Jules Scholler, Pedro Mecê, Jean‐Marie Chassot, Kassandra Groux, Mathias Fink, Claude Boccara, Alexandre Aubry
Abstract
We report on a theoretical model for image formation in full-field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT). Because the spatial incoherence of the illumination acts as a virtual confocal pinhole in FFOCT, its imaging performance is equivalent to a scanning time-gated coherent confocal microscope. In agreement with optical experiments enabling a precise control of aberrations, FFOCT is shown to have nearly twice the resolution of standard imaging at moderate aberration level. Beyond a rigorous study on the sensitivity of FFOCT with respect to aberrations, this theoretical model paves the way towards an optimized design of adaptive optics and computational tools for high-resolution and deep imaging of biological tissues.