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Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is an optical coherence tomography ('OCT') application apparatus that performs an OCT application on an object. The OCT application apparatus includes: (a) an OCT scanning apparatus which outputs a scanning beam of OCT scanning radiation; and (b) an active tracking system that generates and scans a tracking beam of tracking radiation in a predetermined pattern over a region; wherein the active tracking system includes an analysis system that: (i) when the object is at a calibration position, scans the tracking beam about an irregular reference tracking feature in the region, and detects a calibration retro-reflected tracking beam to form calibration information; (ii) after the calibration information is formed, scans the tracking beam over the region, detects a displacement retro-reflected tracking beam, and analyzes the detected displacement retro-reflected tracking beam together with the calibration information to detect movement of the object; (iii) generates tracking signals; and (iv) applies the tracking signals to a tracking mechanism system to cause the tracking beam and the scanning beam to follow movement of the object.

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First Claim