Flexible method for shaping the laser beam extends the depth of focus for OCT imaging
WASHINGTON — Researchers have developed a new method to flexibly create a variety of needle-shaped laser beams. This long, narrow beam can be used to enhance optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive and versatile imaging tool used for scientific research and various types of clinical diagnosis. “Needle-shaped laser beams can effectively expand the depth of focus of OCT systems, improving lateral resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, contrast, and image quality over a long depth range,” said study team leader Adam de la Zerda of the Stanford University School of Medicine. . “However, before now, the application of certain needle-shaped beams was difficult due to the lack of a common and flexible generation method.” In Optica, the Optica Publishing Group’s journal for high-impact research, researchers describe their new platform for creating needle-shaped beams of different lengths and diameters. It can be used to create different types of beams such as one with a very long dep