Rapid volumetric and functional imaging using low coherence interferometry

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The purpose of this research proposal is to investigate novel optical techniques to advance the state of the art for imaging in highly scattering media such as tissue. Specifically, low coherence interferometry based techniques will be investigated for ophthalmic imaging through the following two objectives: Objective 1: Novel rapid volumetric retinal image acquisition: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-contact imaging modality for micrometer scale sub-surface imaging of biological tissue. Despite the increases in acquisition rate achievable with Fourier Domain (FD) detection, volumetric imaging with FDOCT is still hampered by motion artifact. Novel methods in Compressive Sampling will be investigated to decrease the volumetric acquisition time, and to improve interferometric signal acquisition in FDOCT with wavelength swept lasers. Objective 2: High-resolution three-dimensional molecular contrast imaging in vivo: A technological limitation of FDOCT is that the images are purely structural, and do not contain information on the molecular make-up of the sample. The inclusion of molecule specific detection capabilities with FDOCT is important to facilitate functional imaging in biological samples. Depth resolved imaging of fluorescent labels using Fluorescence Coherence Tomography (FCT) will be investigated as an in vivo imaging modality that is complementary to structural imaging with FDOCT. The potential impact of my research program in Biophotonics is to improve imaging technology for clinical ophthalmic diagnosis, and to create novel tools to accelerate vision research in the preclinical development of experimental therapies for vision robbing diseases.