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Abstract

A scanningdelay line for use in optical coherence tomography apparatus has a tiltable mirror, and optical convergence means for converging light incident, a dispersive element for dispersing light incident, and an optical-redirector for changing the direction of an icident beam light. The tiltable mirror, optical convergence element, said dispersive element, and optical redirector means are arranged in an optical configuration such that in sequence the dispersive element directs an input beam toward the optical convergence element, the optical convergence element directs the input beam toward the tiltable mirror, the tiltable mirror reflects the input beam as a first return beam toward the optical convergence element, the optical convergence element directs the first return beam toward the dispersive element, the dispersive element directs the first return beam toward the redirector, and the redirector redirects the first return beam toward the tiltable mirror via the optical convergence element in a direction such that the tiltable mirror reflects the first return beam toward the optical convergence optics element as a second return beam and the optical convergence element directs the second return beam toward the output port as part of an output beam bypassing the dispersive element and such that the output beam lies along substantially the same axis regardless of the angle of tilt of said tiltable mirror. The tilting said mirror varies introduces a variable optical delay into said output beam between the input and output pods. The delay line can be used in the transmission one of the arms of OCT interferometers, resulting in reduced walk-off and loss.

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First Claim