OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING APPARATUS, OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

Abstract

This optical coherence tomography device (100) comprises a wavelength-sweeping laser light source (101), a branching part (131) that branches the light emitted from the wavelength-sweeping laser light source into a plurality of light beams, and a plurality of units (200) that acquire tomographic structure information for different objects (108, 109) under measurement using the plurality of light beams output from the branching part. Each of the plurality of units comprises a branch generation part (112) that branches the light so as to generate object light and reference light, a light beam scanning part (104) that emits the object light onto an object under measurement, a signal generation part (114) that generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light obtained by causing object light scattered by the object under measurement and the reference light to interfere, and an information generation part (107) that generates tomographic structure information for the object under measurement on the basis of the electrical signal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical fields of an optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus that performs optical coherence tomography imaging, an optical coherence tomography imaging method, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology is known as a technology for performing tomographic imaging near the surface of a measurement object. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for calculating three-dimensional shape data of the cornea using the OCT technology. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for performing OCT scanning with a probe for ophthalmic surgery to generate an electronic image of the tissue. Patent Document 3 discloses that when using the OCT technology to create a tomographic image showing the layer structure of the retina, light from a light source may be branched by two fiber couplers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-051101 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2014-503268 [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-221091 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This disclosure is intended to improve upon the techniques disclosed in the prior art documents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the optical coherence tomography imaging device disclosed herein comprises a wavelength-swept laser light source, a branching section that branches the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source into multiple light beams, and multiple units that acquire tomographic structure information for different measurement objects using each of the multiple light beams output from the branching section, each of the multiple units comprising a branch generation section that branches the light output from the branching section to generate object light and reference light, a light beam scanning section that irradiates the object to be measured with the object light, a signal generation section that generates an electrical signal in response to the intensity of interference light resulting from interference between the object light scattered by the object to be measured and the reference light, and an information generation section that generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal.

[0006] One aspect of the optical coherence tomography imaging method disclosed herein is an optical coherence tomography imaging method in which, by a computer, light is emitted from a wavelength-swept laser light source, the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source is branched into multiple light beams, and tomographic structure information for different measurement objects is obtained in each of multiple units using each of the multiple light beams, wherein each of the multiple units further branches the multiple light beams to generate object light and reference light, irradiates the object light onto the measurement object, generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light, and generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal.

[0007] One aspect of the recording medium of the disclosure is an optical coherence tomography imaging method in which light is emitted from a wavelength-swept laser light source, the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source is branched into multiple light beams, and tomographic structure information for different measurement objects is obtained in each of multiple units using each of the multiple light beams, wherein each of the multiple units further branches the multiple light beams to generate object light and reference light, irradiates the measurement object with the object light, generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light, and generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal. A computer program is recorded to cause a computer to execute the optical coherence tomography imaging method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in which an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a ninth embodiment is applied to a contact-type fingerprint scanner. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram (part 1) showing a configuration in which an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a ninth embodiment is applied to a non-contact fingerprint scanner. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram (part 2) showing a configuration in which the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a non-contact fingerprint scanner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus, an optical coherence tomographic imaging method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First Embodiment An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0011] (Hardware configuration) First, the hardware configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a processor 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, and a storage device 14. The optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100 may further include an input device 15 and an output device 16. The optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment also includes a swept laser source 101 and a plurality of optical system units 20. The above-mentioned processor 11, RAM 12, ROM 13, storage device 14, input device 15, output device 16, swept laser source 101, and a plurality of optical system units 20 may be connected via a data bus 17.

[0013] The processor 11 reads a computer program. For example, the processor 11 is configured to read a computer program stored in at least one of the RAM 12, the ROM 13, and the storage device 14. Alternatively, the processor 11 may read a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium using a recording medium reading device (not shown). The processor 11 may obtain (i.e., read) a computer program from a device (not shown) disposed outside the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100 via a network interface. The processor 11 controls the RAM 12, the storage device 14, the input device 15, and the output device 16 by executing the read computer program.

[0014] The processor 11 may be configured as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a demand-side platform (DSP), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 11 may be configured as one of these, or may be configured to use a plurality of these in parallel.

[0015] The RAM 12 temporarily stores a computer program executed by the processor 11. The RAM 12 temporarily stores data that is temporarily used by the processor 11 when the processor 11 is executing the computer program. The RAM 12 may be, for example, a D-RAM (Dynamic RAM).

[0016] The ROM 13 stores computer programs executed by the processor 11. The ROM 13 may also store other fixed data. The ROM 13 may be, for example, a programmable ROM (P-ROM).

[0017] The storage device 14 stores data to be stored long-term by the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100. The storage device 14 may operate as a temporary storage device for the processor 11. The storage device 14 may include, for example, at least one of a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device.

[0018] The input device 15 is a device that receives an input instruction from a user of the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100. The input device 15 may include, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. The input device 15 may be configured as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0019] The output device 16 is a device that outputs information related to the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 100 to the outside. For example, the output device 16 may be a display device (e.g., a display) that can display information related to the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 10. The output device 16 may also be a device (e.g., a speaker) that can output information related to the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 10 as sound. The input device 15 may be configured as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0020] The swept laser light source 101 is a light source capable of generating laser light with a continuously changing wavelength. The optical coherence tomography imaging device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be capable of performing a tomographic image of a measurement object by utilizing the coherence of the laser light emitted from the swept laser light source 101.

[0021] The optical system unit 20 is configured as a unit including a plurality of optical members. The optical system unit 20 is configured to guide the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source 101 to the measurement object, and also to generate interference light by causing the light scattered by the measurement object to interfere. A more specific configuration of the optical system unit 20 will be described later. Particularly in this embodiment, a plurality of optical system units 20 are provided for one wavelength swept laser light source 101.

[0022] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) Next, a specific configuration of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment and the operation of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0023] 2, an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is configured as an apparatus capable of capturing tomographic images of measurement objects 108 and 109 using light emitted from a swept laser source 101. The optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is particularly configured to split one swept laser source 101 and output it to a plurality of units, and each unit is configured to capture tomographic images of different measurement objects (here, the measurement objects 108 and 109).

[0024] Specifically, an optical pulse emitted from a wavelength swept laser source 101 is split by an optical splitter 131, and then supplied to a first unit including an optical interference / receiving unit 102, an optical beam scanning unit 104, and a signal processing unit 106, and a second unit including an optical interference / receiving unit 103, an optical beam scanning unit 105, and a signal processing unit 107. In the first unit, a tomographic image of a measurement object 108 is obtained, and in the second unit, a tomographic image of a measurement object 109 is obtained.

[0025] The wavelength swept laser source 101 generates an optical pulse whose wavelength increases from 1250 nm to 1350 nm over a duration of, for example, 10 μs, and generates this optical pulse every 20 μs at a repetition rate of 50 kHz.

[0026] Light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source 101 and supplied to the optical interference and light receiving unit 102 of the first unit via the optical branching device 131 is irradiated onto the measurement object 108 via the optical beam scanning unit 104 and scattered. A part of this scattered light returns to the optical interference and light receiving unit 102 and is photoelectrically converted. The electrical signal output from the optical interference and light receiving unit 102 is converted into tomographic image data by the signal processing unit 106, and a tomographic image of the measurement object 108 is obtained.

[0027] Furthermore, light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source 101 and supplied to the optical interference and light receiving unit 103 of the second unit via the optical branching device 131 is irradiated onto the measurement object 109 via the optical beam scanning unit 105 and scattered. A part of this scattered light returns to the optical interference and light receiving unit 103 and is photoelectrically converted. The electrical signal output from the optical interference and light receiving unit 103 is converted into tomographic image data by the signal processing unit 107, and a tomographic image of the measurement object 109 is obtained.

[0028] More specifically, the light supplied to the optical interference / light receiving unit 102 of the first unit is input to the branching / converging unit 112 via the circulator 111. The light input to the branching / converging unit 112 is branched into object light R11 and reference light R21. The object light R11 passes through an irradiation optical system 116 consisting of a fiber collimator 115, a scanning mirror, and a lens, and is irradiated onto the measurement object 108. Then, the object light R31 scattered at the measurement object 108 returns to the branching / converging unit 112. On the other hand, the reference light R21 returns to the branching / converging unit 112 via a reference light mirror 113. Therefore, in the branching / converging unit 112, the object light R31 scattered from the measurement object 108 and the reference light R41 reflected from the reference light mirror 113 interfere with each other, and interference lights R51 and R61 are generated. That is, the intensity ratio between the interference light R51 and the interference light R61 is determined by the phase difference between the object light R31 and the reference light R41.

[0029] The interference light R51 passes through a circulator 111, and the interference light R61 is directly input to a two-input balanced photoreceiver 114. A voltage corresponding to the intensity difference between the interference light R51 and the interference light R61 is output from the balanced photoreceiver 114 and input to an optical spectrum data generation / A-scan waveform generation unit 117 constituting the signal processing unit 106.

[0030] The balanced optical receiver 114 is an optical receiver in which two photodiodes are connected in series, and the connection serves as an output (differential output). The band of the balanced optical receiver 114 is 1 GHz or less.

[0031] The optical spectrum data generating / A-scan waveform generating unit 117 generates interference light spectrum data based on information on the wavelength change of the emitted light from the wavelength swept laser light source 101 and information on the change in the intensity ratio between the interference light R51 and R61. The optical spectrum data generating / A-scan waveform generating unit 117 performs a Fourier transform on the generated interference light spectrum data to obtain data indicating the intensity of the backscattered light (object light) at different positions in the depth direction (Z direction) (hereinafter, the operation of obtaining data indicating the intensity of the backscattered light (object light) in the depth direction (Z direction) at a certain position of the measurement object 108 is referred to as "A scan").

[0032] In order to generate an A-scan waveform every optical pulse repetition period of 20 μs, an electrical signal having a repetition frequency of 50 kHz is supplied as a trigger signal from the wavelength swept laser source 101 to the signal processing unit 106 through the tomographic image generating unit 118. After being output from the wavelength swept laser source 101, the trigger signal is branched by a trigger signal brancher 132 and supplied to the tomographic image generating unit 118 and the tomographic image generating unit 128.

[0033] Consider the interference between object light and reference light, both of which have a wavelength λ and a wave number k (=2π / λ). The optical path length from when the reference light is split by the splitter / converger 112 to when it is reflected by the reference light mirror 113 and returns to the splitter / converger 112 is P R The optical path length of the object light from being split by the splitter / joiner 112 to being backscattered at one light scattering point on the object 108 and returning to the splitter / joiner 112 is P S =P R When k is +z0, the object light R31 and the reference light R41 interfere with each other at the branching / combining device 112 with each other at a phase difference kz0+φ, where φ is a constant independent of k or z0. The amplitude of the object light R31 that interferes at the branching / combining device 112 is expressed as E S , the amplitude of the reference beam R41 is E R Then, the intensity difference between the interference light R51 and the interference light R61 is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0034]

number

[0035] That is, in the interference light spectrum data I(k) obtained by measuring from wave numbers k0-Δk / 2 to k0+Δk / 2, a modulation with a period of 2π / z0 appears.

[0036] The amplitude J(z) of the Fourier transform of I(k) is given by the following equation (2).

[0037]

number

[0038] This reflects the light scattering point position z0 and shows a δ-function-like peak at z=z0 (and z=-z0).

[0039] When the object to be measured is a mirror, there is only one light scattering point position. However, normally, the object light irradiated onto the object to be measured is attenuated to a certain degree as it propagates and is sequentially backscattered, and the light scattering points of the object light are distributed in the range from the surface to a certain depth. When the light scattering points are distributed in the depth direction from z0-Δz to z0+Δz, modulations with periods from 2π / (z0-Δz) to 2π / (z0+Δz) appear overlapping in the interference light spectrum.

[0040] Furthermore, the irradiation position of the object light R31 is scanned on the measurement target 108 by the irradiation optical system 116. In response to a trigger signal supplied through the tomographic image generating unit 118, the beam position setting unit 119 controls the irradiation optical system 116 to move the irradiation position of the object light R31 in the scanning line direction (X direction). By repeatedly performing the A-scan operation and connecting the A-scan measurement results in the tomographic image generating unit 118, a two-dimensional map of the intensity of the backscattered light (object light) in the scanning line direction and depth direction is obtained as tomographic structure data (hereinafter, the operation of repeatedly performing the A-scan operation in the scanning line direction (X direction) and connecting the measurement results is referred to as "B scan").

[0041] Furthermore, the B-scan operation is repeatedly performed while the irradiation position of the object light R31 is moved by the irradiation optical system 116 not only in the scanning line direction but also in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line (Y direction), and the A-scan measurement results are connected in the tomographic image generation unit 118 to obtain three-dimensional tomographic structure data (hereinafter, the operation of repeatedly performing the B-scan operation in the direction perpendicular to the scanning line (Y direction) and connecting the measurement results is referred to as "C-scan").

[0042] Incidentally, in the second unit as well, the tomographic structure data of the measurement object 109 is obtained in a similar procedure (that is, the same procedure as in the first unit described above).

[0043] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0044] 1 and 2, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, light emitted from one swept laser source 101 is distributed to multiple units for measurement. In this way, a high-cost swept laser source can be shared by multiple units, while each unit can acquire tomographic structure data of the object to be measured. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus.

[0045] <Second embodiment> An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above only in some configurations and operations, and other parts may be the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, parts that differ from the first embodiment already described will be described in detail, and descriptions of overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0046] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment and the operation of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. Note that Fig. 3 does not show detailed components included in the optical coherence / light receiving unit, light beam scanning unit, and signal processing unit shown in Fig. 2.

[0047] 3, the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment includes four units 210, 220, 230, and 240 as input destinations of the light emitted from the swept laser light source 201. In this manner, the number of units to which the branched light beams are input is not particularly limited. Therefore, the number of units may be, for example, five, six, or more.

[0048] In the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, light emitted from a wavelength swept laser light source 201 is split into four beams by an optical splitter 202. Then, each of the split beams is supplied to an optical interference / light-receiving unit 211 of a first unit 210, an optical interference / light-receiving unit 221 of a second unit 220, an optical interference / light-receiving unit 231 of a third unit 230, and an optical interference / light-receiving unit 241 of a fourth unit 240.

[0049] The light input to the optical interference / light receiving section 211 of the first unit 210 is used for scanning by the optical beam scanning section 212. The light input to the optical interference / light receiving section 221 of the second unit 220 is used for scanning by the optical beam scanning section 222. The light input to the optical interference / light receiving section 231 of the third unit 230 is used for scanning by the optical beam scanning section 232. The light input to the optical interference / light receiving section 241 of the fourth unit 240 is used for scanning by the optical beam scanning section 242. This makes it possible to obtain tomographic structure data of different measurement objects (here, four measurement objects) in each unit.

[0050] In addition, the trigger signal output from the wavelength swept laser light source 201 is also branched by the trigger signal brancher 203 and supplied to the signal processing unit 213 of the unit 210, the signal processing unit 223 of the unit 220, the signal processing unit 233 of the unit 230, and the signal processing unit 243 of the unit 240.

[0051] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0052] 3, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, light emitted from one swept laser source 101 is distributed to a greater number of units for measurement than in the first embodiment. In this way, the expensive swept laser source can be shared by more units, which makes it possible to further reduce the cost of the apparatus.

[0053] <Third embodiment> An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in part of the configuration and operation, and other parts may be the same as the first and second embodiments. Therefore, hereinafter, parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and descriptions of other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment and the operation of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 4, the same components as those shown in Fig. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0055] 4, an optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment includes an optical amplifier 204 that amplifies an optical pulse emitted from a wavelength swept laser source 201. When the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 300 operates, an optical pulse emitted from the wavelength swept laser source 201 is first amplified by the optical amplifier 204. The amplified light is then split into two by the optical splitter 205. Each of the lights split by the optical splitter 205 is supplied to an optical interference / light-receiving unit 211 of the first unit 210 and an optical interference / light-receiving unit 221 of the second unit 220.

[0056] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0057] As described in Fig. 4, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, the optical pulse emitted from the wavelength swept laser source 201 is amplified before being branched. In this way, the reduction in the power of the optical pulse due to branching can be compensated for by amplification. Therefore, even if there are many branches and the power of the optical pulse after branching is insufficient as it is, for example, it is possible to compensate for the power by amplification and appropriately capture a tomographic image.

[0058] <Fourth embodiment> An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in part of the configuration and operation, and other parts may be the same as the first to third embodiments. Therefore, in the following, explanations of parts that overlap with the embodiments already described will be omitted as appropriate.

[0059] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment and the operation of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 5, the same components as those shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, an optical coherence tomography imaging device 400 according to the fourth embodiment includes a first optical splitter 206 that splits an optical pulse emitted from a wavelength swept laser source 201, two optical amplifiers 207 that amplify each of the lights split by the first optical splitter, and a second optical splitter 208 that further splits each of the lights amplified by each of the optical amplifiers 207.

[0061] When the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 300 operates, an optical pulse emitted from the wavelength swept laser source 201 is first split into two beams by the first optical splitter 206. The two beams are then supplied to two optical amplifiers 207, respectively. In the optical amplifier 207, each of the two beams split by the first optical splitter 206 is amplified. The two beams amplified by the optical amplifier 207 are then supplied to the second optical splitter 208, respectively. The second optical splitter 208 further splits the input light into two.

[0062] As a result of the above, the optical pulse emitted from the wavelength swept laser source 201 is branched into four beams through the first optical splitter 206, the optical amplifier 207, and the second optical splitter 208. The four beams emitted from the second optical splitter 208 are supplied to the optical interference / photoreceptor section 211 of the first unit 210, the optical interference / photoreceptor section 221 of the second unit 220, the optical interference / photoreceptor section 231 of the third unit 230, and the optical interference / photoreceptor section 241 of the fourth unit 240, as in the second embodiment.

[0063] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0064] As described in FIG. 5, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment, the optical pulse is branched stepwise with amplification in between. In this way, when the optical pulse is branched into a relatively large number of pulses, branching and amplification can be performed appropriately. Note that, although the fourth embodiment has been described with an example in which the optical pulse is branched in two stages, the optical pulse may be branched in three or more stages. In this case, amplification may be performed before branching at each stage (i.e., amplification may be performed multiple times in stages).

[0065] <Fifth embodiment> An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The fifth embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in some configurations and operations, and other parts may be the same as the first to fourth embodiments. Therefore, hereinafter, parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and explanations of other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0066] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment and the operation of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same components as those shown in Figs. 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0067] 6, an optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment is configured to include an optical switch 209 as an element for branching an optical pulse emitted from a swept laser source 201. The optical switch 209 is configured to be capable of time-divisionally branching the wavelength swept laser source 201 (i.e., switching the optical path according to timing).

[0068] When the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 400 operates, the optical switch 209 is switched so that the optical pulse emitted from the swept laser source 201 is sequentially supplied to each of the units 210 and 220. For example, the optical switch 209 is switched so that the optical pulse is first supplied to the optical interference / light-receiving unit 211 of the first unit 210. Then, the optical switch 209 is switched so that the optical pulse is supplied to the optical interference / light-receiving unit 221 of the second unit 220. By repeating such a series of operations, it is possible to sequentially supply the optical pulse emitted from the swept laser source 101 to each of the units 210 and 220.

[0069] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0070] As described in Fig. 6, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment, the optical pulse emitted from the wavelength swept laser source 201 is branched by the optical switch 209. In this way, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power of the optical pulse due to branching. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the power of the optical pulse after branching, for example, without providing an optical amplifier as in the third and fourth embodiments described above.

[0071] Sixth Embodiment An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 600 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The sixth embodiment differs from the first to fifth embodiments in some configurations and operations, and other parts may be the same as the first to fifth embodiments. Therefore, hereinafter, parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and descriptions of other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0072] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 600 according to the sixth embodiment and operations of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

[0073] 7, in an optical coherence tomographic imaging device 600 according to the sixth embodiment, the optical coherence / light receiving sections and signal processing sections of a plurality of units are configured as a single common aggregation unit 310. Specifically, the aggregation unit 310 includes optical coherence / light receiving sections 311 and 321 and signal processing sections 313 and 323.

[0074] The optical pulse branched by the optical branching unit 302 is supplied to each of the optical interference / light receiving units 311 and 321 included in the aggregation unit 310. In addition, the trigger signal branched by the trigger signal brancher 303 is supplied to the signal processing units 313 and 323 included in the aggregation unit 310.

[0075] A plurality of light beam scanning units 312 and 322 are remotely disposed in the aggregation unit 310. Each of the plurality of light beam scanning units 312 and 322 is configured to operate via a different light interference / light receiving unit and a signal processing unit included in the aggregation unit 310. Each of the light beam scanning units 312 and 322 is capable of scanning a plurality of target measurement objects different from each other.

[0076] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 600 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

[0077] 7, in the optical coherence tomographic imaging device 600 according to the sixth embodiment, a plurality of optical coherence / light receiving sections and a signal processing section are configured as a single common aggregate unit 310. In this way, compared with the case where the optical coherence / light receiving section and the signal processing section are configured as separate units (for example, the first to fifth embodiments), it is possible to simplify the device configuration and suppress an increase in costs.

[0078] Seventh embodiment An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The seventh embodiment differs from the first to sixth embodiments in only some of its operations, and other parts may be the same as the first to sixth embodiments. Therefore, hereinafter, parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0079] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment and operations of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

[0080] 8, an optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment includes an optical coupler 721 and an optical splitter 722. The optical coupler 721 couples a wavelength-swept first optical pulse The optical splitter 722 is configured to be able to split the light combined in the optical multiplexer 721 and output the split light.

[0081] In the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment, a wavelength-swept first optical pulse and a second optical pulse synchronized with the repetition of the first optical pulse are emitted from a wavelength-swept laser source 701. For example, the wavelength-swept first optical pulse is generated at a repetition rate of 50 kHz every 20 μs with a wavelength increasing from 1250 nm to 1350 nm over a duration of 10 μs. In synchronization with this, the second optical pulse is generated at a repetition rate of 50 kHz in the wavelength band of 1550 nm.

[0082] When the optical coherence tomography imaging device 700 operates, the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse are combined in the optical combiner 721 and are then split in the optical splitter 723. When the wavelength bands of the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse are different, the optical combiner 721 can suppress optical loss during combining by using a wavelength combiner. The light split by the optical splitter 723 is supplied to a first unit consisting of the optical interference / light receiving unit 702, the optical beam scanning unit 104, and the signal processing unit 106, and to a second unit consisting of the optical interference / light receiving unit 703, the optical beam scanning unit 105, and the signal processing unit 107.

[0083] In the first unit, light emitted from a wavelength swept laser light source 701 and supplied to an optical interference / light receiving unit 702 via an optical multiplexer 721 and an optical splitter 722 is input to a trigger signal separation unit 724. When the wavelength bands of the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse are different, the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse are separated while suppressing optical loss during separation using a wavelength splitter, and then the first optical pulse is guided to a circulator 111, and the second optical pulse is photoelectrically converted by an optical receiver. The first optical pulse is used to acquire tomographic structure data of the measurement object 108 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). An electric signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the second optical pulse is input to a tomographic image generating unit 118 of the signal processing unit 106 as in the first embodiment.

[0084] Incidentally, in the second unit as well, the tomographic structure data of the measurement object 109 is obtained in a similar procedure (that is, the same procedure as in the first unit described above).

[0085] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment will be described.

[0086] As described in Fig. 8, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment, the first pulse and the second pulse are separated in each unit (specifically, the trigger signal separation units 724 and 725 of each unit). In this way, it is not necessary to separately supply the optical pulses for generating the object light and the reference light and the optical pulses for the trigger signal to each unit. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to separately provide an optical splitter and a trigger signal splitter in the front stage of each unit.

[0087] Eighth embodiment An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 800 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The eighth embodiment differs from the first to seventh embodiments in only some of its operations, and other parts may be the same as the first to seventh embodiments. Therefore, hereinafter, parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0088] (Specific configuration and operation of each part) First, a specific configuration of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 800 according to the eighth embodiment and operations of each unit will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.

[0089] 9, each unit of an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 800 according to the eighth embodiment includes trigger signal extraction units 822 and 823. The trigger signal extraction units 822 and 823 are configured to be capable of generating an electrical signal synchronized with the optical pulse by branching a part of the power of the optical pulse and photoelectrically converting it.

[0090] When the optical coherence tomography imaging device 800 is operating, an optical pulse is emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source 801 and supplied to a first unit consisting of an optical interference / light receiving unit 802, an optical beam scanning unit 104, and a signal processing unit 106, and a second unit consisting of an optical interference / light receiving unit 803, an optical beam scanning unit 105, and a signal processing unit 107.

[0091] In the first unit, one of the beams branched by the optical brancher 821 is supplied to the optical interference / light receiving unit 802. The optical pulse supplied to the optical interference / light receiving unit 802 is input to a trigger signal extraction unit 822. The trigger signal extraction unit 822 branches a portion of the power of the optical pulse and photoelectrically converts it to generate an electrical signal synchronized with the optical pulse. Most of the remaining power of the optical pulse is used to acquire tomographic structure data of the measurement object 108 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). The electrical signal obtained by the trigger signal extraction unit 822 is input to the tomographic image generation unit 118 of the signal processing unit 106 as a trigger signal.

[0092] Incidentally, in the second unit as well, the tomographic structure data of the measurement object 109 is obtained in a similar procedure (that is, the same procedure as in the first unit described above).

[0093] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus 800 according to the eighth embodiment will be described.

[0094] 9, in the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus 800 according to the eighth embodiment, the signals are separated in each unit (specifically, in the trigger signal extraction units 822 and 823 of each unit). In this way, it is not necessary to separately supply the optical pulses for generating the object light and the reference light and the optical pulses for the trigger signal to each unit. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to separately provide an optical splitter and a trigger signal splitter in the front stage of each unit.

[0095] <Ninth embodiment> An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Note that the ninth embodiment describes a specific application example of the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the first to eighth embodiments described above, and the basic configuration and operation of the apparatus may be the same as those of the first to eighth embodiments. Therefore, in the following, only the parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and the description of the other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0096] (Contact Fingerprint Scanner) First, a configuration in which an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a contact-type fingerprint scanner will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in which an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a contact-type fingerprint scanner. In Fig. 10, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those shown in Fig. 2.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 10, the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment may be applied to a contact-type fingerprint scanner (i.e., an apparatus that reads a fingerprint by contacting a finger with the apparatus). In this case, a scan unit 910 that is to be touched by a living finger 50 may be configured to include an irradiation optical system 116. The irradiation optical system 116 irradiates a light beam onto the living finger 50 that is in contact with the scan unit 910. Then, the scattered light scattered by the living finger 50 enters the irradiation optical system 116. Based on this scattered light, the contact-type fingerprint scanner generates an image of the fingerprint.

[0098] As already described, the laser light emitted from the swept laser light source 101 is supplied in a branched state to the irradiation optical system 116. Therefore, although not shown in the figure, a plurality of scanning units 910 may be provided for one swept laser light source 101.

[0099] (Contactless fingerprint scanner) Next, a configuration in which the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a non-contact fingerprint scanner will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram (part 1) showing a configuration in which the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a non-contact fingerprint scanner. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram (part 2) showing a configuration in which the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a non-contact fingerprint scanner. In Figs. 11 and 12, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as those shown in Fig. 2.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 11, the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment may be applied to a non-contact fingerprint scanner (i.e., an apparatus that reads a fingerprint without touching the finger to the apparatus). In this case, a scanning unit 920 over which a living finger 50 is held may be configured to include an irradiation optical system 116. The irradiation optical system 116 irradiates a light beam onto the living finger 50 that is not in contact with the scanning unit 920. Then, the scattered light scattered by the living finger 50 enters the irradiation optical system 116. Based on this scattered light, the non-contact fingerprint scanner generates an image of the fingerprint.

[0101] 12, the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment may be applied to a non-contact type fingerprint scanner with a guide. In this case, a scan unit 930 over which a living finger 50 is held is provided with guide units 931 and 932 on which the living finger 50 is placed. In this way, even if the living finger 50 is brought into contact with the guide units 931 and 932, the scanner unit 930 and the living finger 50 do not come into contact with each other (i.e., a non-contact state can be maintained).

[0102] As in the case of the contact scanner, the laser light emitted from the swept laser light source 101 is also supplied in a branched state to the irradiation optical system 116 in the non-contact scanner. Therefore, although not shown in the figure, a plurality of scanning units 920 or 930 may be provided for one swept laser light source 101.

[0103] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment will be described.

[0104] 10 to 12, the optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is applied to a contact fingerprint scanner or a non-contact fingerprint scanner. In this way, the expensive swept laser light source 101 can be shared by multiple units, and each unit can acquire a fingerprint image of a living finger 50. Therefore, even if there is only one swept laser light source 101, it is possible to simultaneously acquire fingerprint images of multiple living bodies.

[0105] The scope of each embodiment also includes a processing method in which a program that operates the configuration of each embodiment to realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is recorded on a recording medium, the program recorded on the recording medium is read as code, and the program is executed on a computer. That is, a computer-readable recording medium is also included in the scope of each embodiment. Furthermore, not only the recording medium on which the above-mentioned program is recorded, but also the program itself is included in each embodiment.

[0106] Examples of recording media that can be used include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs. In addition, the scope of each embodiment does not include those that execute processing by themselves recorded on the recording media, but also those that execute processing by operating on an OS in cooperation with other software and functions of an extension board.

[0107] This disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and optical coherence tomographic imaging devices, optical coherence tomographic imaging methods, and recording media incorporating such modifications are also included in the technical concept of this disclosure.

[0108] <Additional Notes> The above-described embodiment may be further described as follows, but is not limited to the following.

[0109] (Appendix 1) The optical coherence tomography imaging device described in Appendix 1 includes a wavelength swept laser light source, a branching unit that branches the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source into multiple beams, and multiple units that acquire tomographic structure information for different measurement objects using each of the multiple beams output from the branching unit, each of the multiple units including a branch generation unit that branches the light output from the branching unit to generate object light and reference light, a light beam scanning unit that irradiates the measurement object with the object light, a signal generation unit that generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light, and an information generation unit that generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal.

[0110] (Appendix 2) The optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Supplementary Note 2 is the optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Supplementary Note 1, in which the branching unit amplifies the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source and branches the amplified light into multiple lights.

[0111] (Appendix 3) The optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Appendix 3 is the optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Appendix 1, in which the branching unit branches the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source, amplifies the branched light, and further branches the amplified light to output it as the multiple lights.

[0112] (Appendix 4) The optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Appendix 4 is the optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 3, in which the branching section time-divides the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source and outputs it as the multiple light beams.

[0113] (Appendix 5) The optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Supplementary Note 5 is the optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, in which the branch generation unit, the signal generation unit, and the information generation unit are configured as a single aggregate unit common to the multiple units.

[0114] (Appendix 6) The optical coherence tomography imaging device described in Supplementary Note 6 is the optical coherence tomography imaging device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, further comprising: the wavelength-swept laser light source emits a first optical pulse and a second optical pulse; the branching unit branches a light obtained by combining the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse and outputs the plurality of light beams; and each of the plurality of units further comprises a separation unit that separates the light output from the branching unit into the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse, outputs the first optical pulse as light for generating the object light and the reference light, and outputs the second optical pulse as a trigger signal that triggers the signal generation unit to generate the tomographic structure information.

[0115] (Appendix 7) The optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in Appendix 7 is the optical coherence tomographic imaging device described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 5, wherein each of the multiple units further includes an extraction unit that separates a portion of the power of the light output from the branching unit and photoelectrically converts it to extract a trigger signal that triggers the signal generation unit to generate the tomographic structure information.

[0116] (Appendix 8) The optical coherence tomography imaging method described in Appendix 8 is an optical coherence tomography imaging method in which, by a computer, light is emitted from a wavelength-swept laser light source, the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source is branched into multiple light beams, and tomographic structure information for different measurement objects is obtained in each of multiple units using each of the multiple light beams, wherein each of the multiple units further branches the multiple light beams to generate object light and reference light, irradiates the measurement object with the object light, generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light, and generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal.

[0117] (Appendix 9) The recording medium described in Appendix 9 is a recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon to cause a computer to execute an optical coherence tomography imaging method, which includes emitting light from a wavelength-swept laser light source, branching the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source into multiple light beams, and using each of the multiple light beams to obtain tomographic structure information for different measurement objects in each of multiple units, wherein each of the multiple units further branches the multiple light beams to generate object light and reference light, irradiates the object to be measured with the object light, generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light, and generates tomographic structure information for the measurement object based on the electrical signal.

[0118] (Appendix 10) The computer program described in Appendix 10 is an optical coherence tomography imaging method that causes a computer to execute the optical coherence tomography imaging method, which includes emitting light from a wavelength-swept laser light source, branching the light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source into multiple light beams, and using each of the multiple light beams to obtain tomographic structure information for different measurement objects in each of multiple units, wherein each of the multiple units further branches the multiple light beams to generate object light and reference light, irradiates the measurement object with the object light, generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light, and generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 100 Optical coherence tomography imaging device 101 Wavelength Swept Laser Source 102 Optical interference / receiving unit 104 Light beam scanning unit 108 Measurement Object 111 Circulator 112 Junction 113 Reference mirror 115 Fiber collimator 116 Irradiation optical system 117 Optical spectrum data generation and A-scan waveform generation unit 118 Tomographic image generation unit 119 Beam position setting unit 131 Optical splitter 132 Trigger signal splitter 204 Optical Amplifier 205 Optical splitter 206 First Optical Splitter 207 Optical Amplifier 208 Second Optical Splitter 209 Optical Switch 310 Aggregation Unit 721 Optical combiner 722 Optical splitter 724 Trigger signal separation section 822 Trigger signal extraction unit 910,920,930 Scanning section 931,932 Guide section

Claims

1. A wavelength swept laser light source; a branching unit that branches the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source, amplifies the branched light, and further branches the amplified light to output it as a plurality of light beams; a plurality of units for acquiring tomographic structure information for different measurement objects by using each of the plurality of light beams output from the branching portion; Equipped with Each of the plurality of units includes: a branch generation unit that branches the light output from the branch unit to generate an object light and a reference light; a light beam scanning unit that irradiates the object light onto the measurement target; a signal generating unit that generates an electric signal according to an intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light; an information generating unit that generates tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal; An optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus comprising:

2. The optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the branching section time-divides the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source and outputs the light as the plurality of beams.

3. The optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the branch generation section, the signal generation section, and the information generation section are configured as a single aggregate unit common to the plurality of units.

4. the wavelength swept laser source emits a first optical pulse and a second optical pulse; the branching unit branches a light obtained by combining the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse, and outputs the plurality of light beams; Each of the plurality of units further includes a separation unit that separates the light output from the branching unit into the first light pulse and the second light pulse, outputs the first light pulse as light for generating the object light and the reference light, and outputs the second light pulse as a trigger signal that triggers the signal generating unit to generate the tomographic structure information. The optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The optical coherence tomography imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of units further comprises an extraction unit that extracts a trigger signal that triggers the signal generation unit to generate the tomographic structure information by separating and photoelectrically converting a portion of the power of the light output from the branching unit.

6. By computer, Light is emitted from a wavelength swept laser light source; branching the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source, amplifying the branched light, and further branching the amplified light to output it as a plurality of light beams; acquiring, by each of a plurality of units, tomographic structure information for a different measurement object using each of the plurality of light beams; 1. A method for optical coherence tomography imaging, comprising: Each of the plurality of units includes: Further splitting the plurality of beams to generate an object beam and a reference beam; Irradiating the object to be measured with the object light; generating an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light; generating tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal; Optical coherence tomography imaging method.

7. On the computer, Light is emitted from a wavelength swept laser light source; branching the light emitted from the wavelength swept laser light source, amplifying the branched light, and further branching the amplified light to output it as a plurality of light beams; acquiring, by each of a plurality of units, tomographic structure information for a different measurement object using each of the plurality of light beams; 1. A method for optical coherence tomography imaging, comprising: Each of the plurality of units includes: Further splitting the plurality of beams to generate an object beam and a reference beam; Irradiating the object to be measured with the object light; generating an electrical signal according to the intensity of interference light caused by interference between the object light scattered by the measurement object and the reference light; generating tomographic structure information of the measurement object based on the electrical signal; A computer program that causes an optical coherence tomography imaging method to be executed.

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