title: Three-dimensional characterization of optical coherence tomography point spread functions with a nanoparticle-embedded phantom.
abstract: We present a novel (to our knowledge) approach for measurement of the three-dimensional point spread function (PSF) of optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems using a nanoparticle-embedded phantom (NEP), toward development of standardized test methods for biophotonic imaging. The NEP comprises highly reflective plasmonic nanoparticles, homogeneously distributed in a transparent silicone matrix. OCT image volumes were analyzed to characterize PSFs in axial and lateral directions at a variety of locations in the NEP. Results indicate submicrometer agreement with conventional approaches to measure dimensions of the PSF. The NEP offers a robust approach for validating and comparing imaging performance of OCT devices.
authors.affiliation: Optical Diagnostic Devices Laboratory, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, USA. anant.agrawal@fda.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Anant
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: T Joshua
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Pfefer
authors.forename: Naureen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Drezek
mesh_terms: D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057145:Nanoshells; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation*