Significance: Visible light optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging for spectroscopic and ultrahigh resolution imaging, but challenges remain. Depth-dependent dispersion limits retinal image quality and current correction approaches are cumbersome. Inconsistent group refractive indices during image reconstruction also limit reproducibility. Aim: To introduce and evaluate water wavenumber calibration (WWC), which corrects depth-dependent dispersion and provides an accurate depth axis in water. Approach: Enabled by a visible light OCT spectrometer configuration with a 3- to 4-dB sensitivity roll-off over 1 mm in air across a 90-nm bandwidth, we determine the spectral phase of a 1-mm water cell, an affine function of water wavenumber. Via WWC, we reconstruct visible light OCT human retinal images with 1.3-μm depth resolution in water. Results: Images clearly reveal Bruch’s membrane, inner plexiform layer lamination, and a thin nerve fiber layer in the temporal parafovea. WWC halves the processing time, while achieving the same image definition as an assumption-free gold standard approach, suggesting that water wavenumber is a suitable proxy for tissue wavenumber. WWC also provides a depth axis in water without explicitly assuming a group refractive index. Conclusions: WWC is a simple method that helps to realize the full potential of visible light OCT.

中文翻译：

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可见光光学相干断层扫描的水波数校准。

意义：可见光光学相干断层扫描 (OCT) 正在出现用于光谱和超高分辨率成像，但挑战仍然存在。深度相关的色散限制了视网膜图像质量，目前的校正方法很麻烦。图像重建期间不一致的组折射率也限制了再现性。目的：介绍和评估水波数校准 (WWC)，它校正与深度相关的色散并提供准确的水中深度轴。方法：通过可见光 OCT 光谱仪配置实现，在 90 纳米带宽的空气中 1 毫米范围内具有 3 到 4 分贝的灵敏度滚降，我们确定了 1 毫米水细胞的光谱相位，这是一个仿射函数的水波数。通过 WWC，我们重建了水中 1.3 微米深度分辨率的可见光 OCT 人类视网膜图像。结果：图像清楚地显示了 Bruch 膜、内丛状层层压和颞侧中央凹中的薄神经纤维层。WWC 将处理时间减半，同时实现与无假设金标准方法相同的图像定义，这表明水波数是组织波数的合适代表。WWC 还提供了水中的深度轴，而无需明确假设群折射率。结论：WWC 是一种简单的方法，有助于实现可见光 OCT 的全部潜力。WWC 还提供了水中的深度轴，而无需明确假设群折射率。结论：WWC 是一种简单的方法，有助于实现可见光 OCT 的全部潜力。WWC 还提供了水中的深度轴，而无需明确假设群折射率。结论：WWC 是一种简单的方法，有助于实现可见光 OCT 的全部潜力。