Optical Coherence Tomography is a 3D imaging technique that uses low coherence length light to detect backscattered light from samples in a depth resolved manner. Since its inception in the 1980’s it has found many applications, mostly in medicine, where it has become the standard technique for retinal scans in ophthalmology. 

In 2014 we have begun developing our own optical tomography setup in our lab. What started out as an engineering honours project in collaboration with Dr . Steve Lee with the goal to detect infections in burn wounds using OCT and a so-called photonic band-aid has since progressed beyond this initial goal and led to several additional collaborations. 

I will discuss the challenges we encountered along the way and how the unique environment at the department and also at the ANU enabled us to solve these problems, pursue new avenues of research and combine expertise from several fields to improve our technique. 

Followed by drinks and light refreshments in the DQS Tea Room.