Abstract

Investigation of the intentai structure of biological tissues and membranes generally implies the use of heavy preparation and fixation methods (freeze drying, microtome slicing, etc.). The tissue and its components are then dead and altered to a certain extent, introducing artifacts that lower the quality of the experimental results. Optical methods often allow noninvasive measurements. Transillumination techniques require laser systems generating femtosecond pulses and sophisticated detection schemes to achieve a spatial resolution in the micrometer range.^1,2 Recently, the transparent eye structure³ and diffusive tissues⁴ have been investigated with micrometer resolution using an interferometric technicque, optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR).

© 1993 Optical Society of America