FQ-XPM

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to detect and analyze backscatter from internal structures of tissues and organs. It has been utilized for studying the skin, retina, and cardiovascular system for medical diagnostic purposes. Identification of patients in need of treatment or preventive care can also be extended to other fields such as diagnostic sensing in engineering and materials science, where OCT is playing an increasingly important role. A research team at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is leading the development of a new apparatus that combines the advantages of two different OCT systems – Frequency Domain (FDOCT) and Phase Sensitive X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (FQ-XPM).

This groundbreaking FQ-XPM apparatus is composed of an X-ray source, an interference filter, a polychromatic light source, a spectrograph, and a computer-controlled imaging system. Using this apparatus, the team has successfully demonstrated the ability to image large objects such as human teeth in three dimensions (3D) and to detect small defects in a material sample. With the capability to image tissue structures and surfaces at sub-angstrom levels, FQ-XPM has potential applications in medicine, materials science, and engineering.

The FQ-XPM system works by gathering radiation from a polychromatic light source. After passing through the interference filter, this radiation is split into groups of monochromatic light by the spectrograph. Then, a two-part process is deployed to analyze the information obtained from each group. The first part measures the phase difference between the reflected light from the sample and that collected directly from the reference beam. The second part records the amplitude of the reflected light. Combining this information, the system then reconstructs an organized 3D image of the object.

By combining the advantages of two different OCT systems, FQ-XPM provides better resolution, more accuracy, and faster imaging speeds compared to existing OCT techniques. This new system has been shown to be useful in a number of applications, including medical imaging, material science, and engineering. In medical imaging, FQ-XPM can be used to detect individual cells within tissues and organs. It is also useful for non-invasive analysis of dental applications; by using the system in combination with a dental tool such as a mirror or dental probe, it can detect cavities or other defects in teeth. In material science, FQ-XPM has the potential to measure the properties of materials such as mineral crystals or nanoparticles.

In engineering, FQ-XPM is useful for the analysis of structural components and for assessing the integrity of electronic components. It can also analyze the surface of products to detect any defects and measure the thickness of thin films. Lastly, the system can be used for mapping the properties of materials on a microscopic scale.

FQ-XPM has a wide range of potential applications in both medical diagnosis and engineering. With the capability to image large objects at sub-angstrom levels, this new system can provide useful information to researchers and medical practitioners. As this technology continues to develop, the possibilities for its medical and engineering applications are expected to expand greatly.