Performance comparison between 8 and 14 bit-depth imaging in polarization-sensitive swept-source optical coherence tomography

Zenghai Lu, Deepa K. Kasaragoda, Stephen J. Matcher

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We compare true 8 and 14 bit-depth imaging of SS-OCT and polarization-sensitive SS-OCT (PS-SS-OCT) at 1.3μm wavelength by using two hardware-synchronized high-speed data acquisition (DAQ) boards. The two DAQ boards read exactly the same imaging data for comparison. The measured system sensitivity at 8-bit depth is comparable to that for 14-bit acquisition when using the more sensitive of the available full analog input voltage ranges of the ADC. Ex-vivo structural and birefringence images of an equine tendon sample indicate no significant differences between images acquired by the two DAQ boards suggesting that 8-bit DAQ boards can be employed to increase imaging speeds and reduce storage in clinical SS-OCT/PS-SS-OCT systems. We also compare the resulting image quality when the image data sampled with the 14-bit DAQ from human finger skin is artificially bit-reduced during post-processing. However, in agreement with the results reported previously, we also observe that in our system that real-world 8-bit image shows more artifacts than the image acquired by numerically truncating to 8-bits from the raw 14-bit image data, especially in low intensity image area. This is due to the higher noise floor and reduced dynamic range of the 8-bit DAQ. One possible disadvantage is a reduced imaging dynamic range which can manifest itself as an increase in image artefacts due to strong Fresnel reflection.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XV
EditorsJames G. Fujimoto, Joseph A. Izatt, Valery V. Tuchin
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages9
Volume7889
ISBN (Print)9780819484260
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XV - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 22 Jan 201127 Jan 2011
Conference number: 15

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume7889
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XV
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period22/01/1127/01/11

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Performance comparison between 8 and 14 bit-depth imaging in polarization-sensitive swept-source optical coherence tomography'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this