Two-dimensional simulation of optical coherence tomography images

An algorithm for the simulation of two-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography images based on Maxwell’s equations is presented. A recently developed and modified time-harmonic numerical solution of Maxwell’s equations is used to obtain scattered far fields for many wave numbers contained in the calculated spectrum. The interferometer setup with its lenses is included rigorously with Fresnel integrals and the Debye-Wolf integral. The implemented model is validated with an existing FDTD algorithm by comparing simulated tomograms of single and multiple cylindrical scatterers for perpendicular and parallel polarisation of the incident light. Tomograms are presented for different realisations of multiple cylindrical scatterers. Furthermore, simulated tomograms of a ziggurat-shaped scatterer and of dentin slabs, with varying scatterer concentrations, are investigated. It is shown that the tomograms do not represent the physical structures present within the sample.