Optical coherence tomography device for paper characterization

In this study, we propose to apply the method optical coherence tomography (OCT) for paper characterization. A PC-controlled experimental measurement system for OCT-imaging of paper is described in detail. A superluminescent diode is used as a light source in a Michelson interferometer. A rapid scanning optical delay line is using a piezo-transducer to modulate the measurement signal for optical heterodyne detection. Amplification, filtering and demodulation are performed by the unit specially designed for this purpose. Experimental measurements include the OCT slice imaging of a paper sample and comparison with a SEM-image. Also some results in surface profilometry are presented briefly. Discussion part gives some ideas of further research that will be carried out in the future.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.