OCT Reference Section Adjustment During Positioning Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OCT systems face measurement inaccuracies due to the restriction of the measurement area when the zero position of the object changes, as the reference section is not adequately adjusted to track changes in the measuring beam, leading to disturbances in the interference signal and inadequate measurement results.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing the scanning path of the measuring beam into measurement phases and positioning phases, with the reference section being adjusted exclusively during the positioning phases, using fast actuators to adjust the reference beam mirror within 1-2 ms, ensuring accurate tracking and preventing adjustments during measurement phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the reference section is adjusted continuously to track measuring beam changes, then the measurement area is expanded, but the interference signal is disturbed and measurement results become inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning path is segmented into measurement phases and positioning phases. During measurement phases, the reference section remains stationary to maintain interference signal quality. During positioning phases, the reference section is adjusted to track measuring beam changes. This temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the conflicting requirements of stability and tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference section adjustment is performed periodically during positioning phases rather than continuously. Fast actuators adjust the reference beam mirror at specific intervals when the measuring beam is repositioned, enabling the measurement area to be expanded while maintaining measurement precision during data acquisition phases.
2Measurement precision
If the reference section remains stationary, then measurement precision is maintained, but the measurement area is restricted when zero position changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The reference section is made dynamically adjustable through fast actuators that can quickly reposition the reference beam mirror. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain a stationary reference section during measurement phases (preserving precision) while enabling area expansion through rapid repositioning during positioning phases.
3Speed
If fast actuators are used to adjust the reference beam mirror quickly, then positioning speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically manages the reference section adjustment by detecting phase transitions and triggering actuator activation. This self-service approach minimizes the need for external intervention and simplifies operation, offsetting the added complexity of the fast actuators through automated control logic.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enlarges the measurement area of OCT systems by avoiding measurement inaccuracies, as the reference section is adjusted only during positioning phases, resulting in improved measurement results with reduced disturbances and enhanced precision.
Implementation Method 1
OCT measurement is generally an interferometric relative distance measurement in which the length of the optical path length of a measurement section is compared with the path length of a reference section. In OCT measurement, in general a measuring beam is brought into interference with a reference beam and length differences are thus determined on a measurement object.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a reference section of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system includes providing the OCT system, generating a measuring beam using the OCT system, conducting the measuring beam to a measurement object, generating a reference beam using the OCT system, conducting the reference beam through the reference section, superimposing the measuring beam reflected from the measurement object and the reference beam, registering interference signals between the measuring beam and the superimposed reference beam using an interferometer of the OCT system, dividing a scanning path of the measuring beam into measurement phases and positioning phases, and adjusting the reference section exclusively in the positioning phases.