A rapid, dispersion-based wavelength-stepped and wavelength-swept laser for optical coherence tomography

TOZBURUN S., Siddiqui M., Vakoc B. J.

OPTICS EXPRESS, vol.22, no.3, pp.3414-3424, 2014 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 22 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1364/oe.22.003414
  • Journal Name: OPTICS EXPRESS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.3414-3424
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Optical-domain subsampling enables Fourier-domain OCT imaging at high-speeds and extended depth ranges while limiting the required acquisition bandwidth. To perform optical-domain subsampling, a wavelength-stepped rather than a wavelength-swept source is required. This preliminary study introduces a novel design for a rapid wavelength-stepped laser source that uses dispersive fibers in combination with a fast lithium-niobate modulator to achieve wavelength selection. A laser with 200 GHz wavelength-stepping and a sweep rate of 9 MHz over a 94 nm range at a center wavelength of 1550 nm is demonstrated. A reconfiguration of this source design to a continuous wavelength-swept light for conventional Fourier-domain OCT is also demonstrated. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America