Dispersion compensation properties of grating-based temporal-correlation Optical Coherence Tomography systems

This article explores specific dispersion compensation properties of an OCT set-up based on temporal correlation performed by using a diffraction grating. The linear dispersion term introduced by a glass plate with a thickness of up to 9 mm has been experimentally compensated optically through the position adjustment of the output imaging lens and for a light bandwidth of 100 nm. The dispersion compensation principle is described theoretically and results obtained experimentally are compared successfully with simulated ones. System limitations are discussed, especially regarding compensation of second orders of dispersion. Perspectives are given to achieve such a dispersion compensation.