“Full-wave” models of OCT imaging systems based on Maxwell’s Equations are beginning to emerge as feasible
alternatives to well established approximate models. These models are however computationally taxing when
dealing with large samples. Here, in an effort to reduce the computational burden, we present a means of
synthesizing full-wave scanning-mode OCT image formation using only a single simulation of a plane wave
incident on a given sample medium. The method involves an angular spectrum approach which synthesizes the
signal for arbitrary scan positions, and arbitrary illumination conditions. This is demonstrated to reduce the
required simulation time by an order of magnitude when synthesizing OCT B-scans, as compared to previous
methods which require a separate simulation for each scan position
