Abstract

Extended-focus optical coherence tomography (xf-OCT) is a variant of optical coherence tomography (OCT) wherein the illumination and/or detection modes are engineered to provide a constant diffractionless lateral resolution over an extended depth of field (typically 3 to $10\times$ the Rayleigh range). xf-OCT systems operating at 800 nm have been devised and used in the past to image brain structures at high-resolution in vivo, but are limited to $\sim 500\mathrm{\mu m}$ in penetration depth due to their short illumination wavelength. Here we present an xf-OCT system optimized to an image deeper within the cortex by using a longer illumination central wavelength of 1310 nm. The system offers a lateral resolution of 3 and 6.5 μm, over a depth of 900 μm and $>1.5\mathrm{mm}$ using a $10\times$ and $5\times$ objective, respectively, in air. We characterize the system’s resolution using microbeads embedded in PDMS and demonstrate its capabilities by imaging the cortical structure and microvasculature in anesthetized mice to a depth of $\sim 0.8\mathrm{mm}$. Finally, we illustrate the difference in penetration depths obtainable with the new system and an xf-OCT system operating at 800 nm.

© 2018 Optical Society of America

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