High resolution mid-infrared optical coherence tomography with kHz line rate

Abstract

We report on Mid-infrared (MIR) OCT at 4 $\mu$m based on collinear sum-frequency upconversion and promote the A-scan scan rate to 3 kHz. We demonstrate the increased imaging speed for two spectral realizations, one providing an axial resolution of 8.6 $\mu$m, and one providing a record axial resolution of 5.8 $\mu$m. Image performance is evaluated by sub-surface micro-mapping of a plastic glove and real-time monitoring of CO${}_2$ in parallel with OCT imaging.