Multimodal probe for optical coherence tomography epidetection and micron-scale indentation

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.