A full-frame coherence imaging technique is proposed that uses a holographic coherence gate and CCD camera. The coherence gate is a transient grating formed by interference between the appropriately delayed reference beam and the image-bearing light from the sample. Preliminary work shows imaging of tumor masses with this technique. The group has been using custom in-house photorefractive films for the coherence gate, and proposes use of outside vendors for improved film properties. OCI has several attributes that distinguish it from OCT and make it an attractive alternative imaging technique. The PI has pioneered this new technology. This proposal will extend that early work, introducing improvements in dynamic range and speed that will allow a shift of research thrust to the imaging aspects of the technology.
