Optimal wavelength for ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

The influence of depth dependent dispersion by the main component of biological tissues, water, on the resolution of OCT was studied. Investigations showed that it was possible to eliminate the influence of depth dependent dispersion by water in tissue by choosing a light source with a center wavelength near 1.0 mum. Ultrahigh resolution ophthalmic imaging was performed at this wavelength range with a microstructure fiber light source. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.