Common path frequency domain optical coherence reflectometry/tomography
devices with an additional interferometer are suggested. The additional
interferometer offset is adjusted such, that it is ether less than the
reference offset, or exceeds the distance from the reference reflector to
the distal boundary of the longitudinal range of interest. This
adjustment allows for relieving the requirements to the spectral
resolution of the frequency domain optical coherence
reflectometry/tomography engine and/or speed of the data acquisition and
processing system, and eliminates depth ambiguity problems. The new
topology allows for including a phase or frequency modulator in an arm of
the additional interferometer improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the
devices. The modulator is also capable of substantially eliminating
mirror ambiguity, DC artifacts, and autocorrelation artifacts. The
interference signal is produced either in the interferometer or inside of
the optical fiber probe leading to the sample.