Patent ID: 6618152
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: A61B,G01B,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:a light source which emits low-coherence light; an optical splitting unit which splits said low-coherence light into signal light having a first frequency and first reference light having a second frequency; a frequency shifting unit which shifts at least one of said first and second frequencies so that a predetermined frequency difference is produced between the first and second frequencies; an irradiating unit which irradiates an object with said signal light; an optical multiplexing unit which optically multiplexes said reference light and a portion of said signal light which is reflected from a predetermined depth in said object, so as to produce interference light; and an image detection unit which detects an optical intensity of said interference light, and obtains a tomographic image of said object based on said optical intensity; said light source comprises, a pulsed light source unit which emits pulsed light having a third frequency and a pulse width, and an optical-waveguide structure made of a material having a normal dispersion characteristic with respect to light which has said third frequency, where said optical-waveguide structure includes a structure which realizes an anomalous dispersion characteristic with respect to light which has said third frequency, so as to reduce said pulse width of said pulsed light.