Figure 1.

Computational optical palpation. (a) Diagram of the experimental sample set-up and incident optical beam, and (b) representative OCT cross-sectional images, in the (i) unloaded and (ii) loaded states, showing the compliant layer CL being compressed against the sample S on a rigid substrate (oblique dashed); W: window, CL: compliant layer, S: sample. In (b), CL and S are marked by false colour, and the intensity image captured by OCT is shown; L₀(x,y) and L₁(x,y) represent compliant layer thickness in the unloaded and loaded states. (c) Cross section of the meshed FEA assembly used in the (i) unloaded and (ii) loaded states. CL boundaries are, respectively, modelled by WCB: window contact body, and SCB: sample contact body. The SCB geometry reflects the lower CL boundary, marked by the dashed line in (b). Scale bar, 500 µm. (Online version in colour.)