We present a multimodal ferrule-top sensor designed to perform the integrated epidetection of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) depth-profiles and micron-scale indentation by all-optical detection. By scanning a sample under the probe, we can obtain structural cross-section images and identify a region-of-interest in a nonhomogeneous sample. Then, with the same probe and setup, we can immediately target that area with a series of spherical-indentation measurements, in which the applied load is known with a [Formula: see text]N precision, the indentation depth with sub-[Formula: see text]m precision and a maximum contact radius of 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. Thanks to the visualization of the internal structure of the sample, we can gain a better insight into the observed mechanical behavior. The ability to impart a small, confined load, and perform OCT [Formula: see text]-scans at the same time, could lead to an alternative, high transverse resolution, Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE) sensor.
Multimodal photoacoustic and optical coherence tomography scanner using an all optical detection scheme for 3D morphological skin imaging