Systems and methods for variable-range fourier domain imaging

An OCT system comprising:

• a light source configured to generate an optical beam;
• an interferometer comprising:
• an optical element configured to direct a reference component of the optical beam along a reference arm of the interferometer and a sample component of the optical beam along a sample arm of the interferometer, wherein the sample arm comprises:
• a scanner configured to direct the sample component along one of a plurality of different directions within a scanning range;
• and
• a lens system disposed downstream of the scanner configured to project the sample beam to an imaging area defined by a field of view of the OCT system, the lens system comprising a first lens, wherein an aspect of the first lens is adjustable so as render the field of view adjustable without adjusting the scanning range of the scanner, and wherein the optical element is further configured to combine the reference component with a reflected portion of the sample component that reflects off an object placed in the imaging area to produce an interference pattern;
• a detector configured to receive the interference pattern;
• and
• a computing system including a processing circuit, the processing circuit including a processor and a memory, the memory being structured to store instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive an image signal from the detector and generate an OCT image or depth information based on the image signal.

A method of operating an OCT system,

• the OCT system comprising:
• a light source configured to generate an optical beam;
• an interferometer comprising:
• an optical element configured to direct a reference component of the optical beam along a reference arm of the interferometer and a sample component of the optical beam along a sample arm of the interferometer, wherein the sample arm comprises:
• a scanner configured to direct the sample component along one of a plurality of different directions within a scanning range;
• and
• a lens system disposed downstream of the scanner configured to project the sample beam to an imaging area defined by a field of view of the OCT system, the lens system comprising a first lens, wherein an aspect of the first lens is adjustable so as render the field of view adjustable without adjusting the scanning range of the scanner, and wherein the optical element is further configured to combine the reference component with a reflected portion of the sample component that reflects off an object placed in the imaging area to produce an interference pattern;
• a detector configured to receive the interference pattern;
• and
• a computing system including a processing circuit, the processing circuit including a processor and a memory, the memory being structured to store instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive an image signal from the detector and generate an OCT image or depth information based on the image signal;
• the method comprising:
• receiving, by the computing device, an indication of a desired imaging distance;
• and
• in response to receiving the indication, adjusting, by the computing device, an effective focal length of the lens system disposed downstream of the scanner in the sample arm of the interferometer to simultaneously adjust the field of view and the angular resolution of the OCT system based on the desired imaging distance.