Double-pass rotary mirror array for fast scanning optical delay line

We have developed a fast scanning optical delay line based on a rotary mirror array. A double-pass configuration is adopted to optimize the fiber-optical coupling and thus minimize the amplitude modulation in the reflected light. The achieved scanning range is extended to over 3 mm. An additional Michelson interferometer is incorporated into the reference arm to achieve high delay repeatability. Such a device is ideal for real-time optical coherence tomography, optical Doppler tomography, and spectroscopic optical coherence tomography.     

Fast-Fourier-domain delay line for in vivo optical coherence tomography with a polygonal scanner

We demonstrate in vivo optical coherence tomography using a Fourier-domain optical delay line constructed with a commercially available polygonal scanner. The 20-faceted polygonal mirror array, capable of scanning at rates up to 15 kHz, is implemented at 4 kHz to acquire 500 x 500 pixel images at 8 frames/s with a signal-to-noise ratio of 80 dB. Features of this delay line include scalability to high repetition rates, 98.6% linearity in group delay over 2 mm, and bandwidth support exceeding 150 nm. Images are obtained in an animal model (Xenopus laevis), and limitations due to phase-delay nonlinearity and polygon asymmetry are discussed.     

Low-coherence interferometry with synthesis of coherence function

Synthesis of a coherence function by manipulation of the spectral phase of low-coherent light with a segmented liquid-crystal phase modulator and its application in a low-coherence interferometry are described. Effects of space-time coupling caused at diffractive gratings and second-order dispersion at the spatial light modulator on the coherence function synthesis are theoretically and experimentally verified. Various coherence functions can be shaped with phase-only masks designed by simulated annealing optimization algorithm. We utilized this technique for a novel optical low-coherence reflectometry without any mechanical movement for scanning optical delay.     

Multiscan time-domain optical coherence tomography for retina imaging

A versatile time-domain optical coherence tomography system is presented that can generate cross-sectional images by using either transverse priority or depth priority scanning. This is made possible by using a transmissive scanning delay line compatible with balance detection operating at a speed similar to that of the transverse scanner used to scan the beam across the target. In vivo images from the retina are generated and shown using the same system switched to either transverse or depth priority scanning regime, by using the scanning delay line either in slow or fast scanning modes, respectively. A comparative analysis of different scanning regimes depending on image size to fit different areas to be imaged is presented. Safety thresholds due to the different continuous irradiation time per transverse pixel in different scanning regimes are also considered. We present the maximum exposure level for a variety of scanning procedures, employing either A scanning (depth priority) or T scanning (transverse priority) when generating cross-sectional images, en face images, or collecting 3D volumes.     

Endoscopic optical coherence tomography with a modified microelectromechanical systems mirror for detection of bladder cancers

Experimental results of a modified micromachined microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror for substantial enhancement of the transverse laser scanning performance of endoscopic optical coherence tomography (EOCT) are presented. Image distortion due to buckling of MEMS mirror in our previous designs was analyzed and found to be attributed to excessive internal stress of the transverse bimorph meshes. The modified MEMS mirror completely eliminates bimorph stress and the resultant buckling effect, which increases the wobbling-free angular optical actuation to greater than 37 degrees, exceeding the transverse laser scanning requirements for EOCT and confocal endoscopy. The new optical coherence tomography (OCT) endoscope allows for two-dimensional cross-sectional imaging that covers an area of 4.2 mm x 2.8 mm (limited by scope size) and at roughly 5 frames/s instead of the previous area size of 2.9 mm x 2.8 mm and is highly suitable for noninvasive and high-resolution imaging diagnosis of epithelial lesions in vivo. EOCT images of normal rat bladders and rat bladder cancers are compared with the same cross sections acquired with conventional bench-top OCT. The results clearly demonstrate the potential of EOCT for in vivo imaging diagnosis and precise guidance for excisional biopsy of early bladder cancers.     

High-resolution full-field optical coherence tomography with a Linnik microscope

We describe an original microscope for high-resolution optical coherence tomography applications. Our system is based on a Linnik interference microscope with high-numerical-aperture objectives. Lock-in detection of the interference signal is achieved in parallel on a CCD by use of a photoelastic birefringence modulator and full-field stroboscopic illumination with an infrared LED. Transverse cross-section (en-face, or XY) images can be obtained in real time with better than 1-microm axial (Z) resolution and 0.5-microm transverse (XY) resolution. A sensitivity of approximately 80 dB is reached at a 1-image/s acquisition rate, which allows tomography in scattering media such as biological tissues.     

复谱频域OCT系统高分辨率图像重建

为了提高复杂多层样品层析图像的分辨率,构建了复谱频域光学相干层析成像(CSOCT)系统.由于其在低亮度和高速成像方面相对于时域OCT具有更高的灵敏度,因此在光学相干层析成像系统中具有重要的作用.本文对测试样品二层盖波片进行成像实验,基于光学相干层析基本理论,采用五帧相移算法,最终获得测试样品的复谱频域OCT图像.实验结果表明,该系统可以消除谱频域OCT图像中的寄生项和镜像,改善和提高层析图像的分辨率.     

Submicrosecond speed optical coherence tomography system design and analysis by use of acousto-optics

A novel high-speed no-moving-parts optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is introduced that acquires sample data at less than a microsecond per data point sampling rate. The basic principle of the proposed OCT system relies on use of an acousto-optic deflector. This OCT system has the attractive features of an acousto-optic scanning heterodyne interferometer coupled with an acousto-optic (AO) variable optical delay line operating in a reflective mode. Fundamentally, OCT systems use a broadband light source for high axial resolution inside the sample or living tissue under examination. Inherently, AO devices are Bragg-mode wavelength-sensitive elements. We identify that two beams generated by a Bragg cell naturally have unbalanced and inverse spectrums with respect to each other. This mismatch in spectrums in turn violates the ideal autocorrelation condition for a high signal-to-noise ratio broadband interferometric sensor such as OCT. We solve this fundamental limitation of Bragg cell use for OCT by deploying a new interferometric architecture where the two interfering beams have the same power spectral profile over the bandwidth of the broadband source. With the proposed AO based system, high (e.g., megahertz) intermediate frequency can be generated for low 1/f noise heterodyne detection. System issues such as resolution, number of axial scans, and delay-path selection time are addressed. Experiments described demonstrate our high-speed acousto-optically tuned OCT system where optical delay lines can be selected at submicrosecond speeds.     

Parallel optical coherence tomography system

We present the design and procedures for implementing a parallel optical coherence tomography (POCT) imaging system that can be adapted to an endoscopic format. The POCT system consists of a single mode fiber (SMF) array with multiple reduced diameter (15 microm) SMFs in the sample arm with 15 microm center spacing between fibers. The size of the array determines the size of the transverse imaging field. Electronic scanning eliminates the need for mechanically scanning in the lateral direction. Experimental image data obtained with this system show the capability for parallel axial scan acquisition with lateral resolution comparable to mechanically scanned optical coherence tomography systems.     

Electric Field Sensing Scheme Based on Matched $ hbox{LiNbO}_{3}$ Electro-Optic Retarders

In this paper, a wideband-electric-field-sensing scheme that uses optically matched integrated optics electrooptic devices and coherence modulation of light is described. In a coherence modulation scheme, the integrated optics sensor detects the electric field and imprints it around an optical delay. The optical delay is generated by a birefringent optical waveguide in a lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) integrated optics two-wave interferometer. The modulated optical delay, acting as an information carrier, is transmitted through an optical fiber channel. At the receiver, light is demodulated by a second integrated optics two-wave interferometer, which also introduces a second optical delay. The optical delays on the sensor and demodulator are matched at the same value. The integrated optics demodulator measures the autocorrelation of light around the optical delay value, and the imprinted electric field is recuperated as a linear variation of the received optical power. The matching of the sensor and demodulator allows a direct detection of the electric field, giving a unique feature to this fiber-integrated optics scheme. The experimental setup described here uses two pigtailed LiNbO₃ electrooptic crystals: one acting as the electric field sensor and the other acting as the optical demodulator. The wideband sensing range on the experimental setup corresponds to frequencies between 0 and 20 kHz.     

Dispersion in a grating-based optical delay line for optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging technology based on low-coherence interferometry. When OCT imaging is performed in biological tissue, dispersion almost inevitably occurs. We quantify the group-velocity dispersion that a grating-based optical delay line may induce and its contribution to the axial point-spread function of OCT. Among the practical reasons for modeling the dispersion in grating-based optical delay line is that, at maximum compensation, it can provide insight into the dispersive properties of tissues.     

Optically produced true-time delays for phased antenna arrays

A device is described for generating true-time delays optically for microwave signals used in beam steering and beam shaping in phased-array antennas. The device can be adapted to provide delays from picoseconds to nanoseconds. A single, compact unit should provide parallel delays for more than 64 independent antenna elements with a greater than 6-bit resolution. The time delays are produced by multiple reflections in a mirror configuration with continuous refocusing. A single spatial light modulator selects independent optical path lengths for each of the parallel antenna elements. Amplitude control for beam shaping can be integrated into the device. The unit can be made rugged for harsh environments by use of solid-block construction. The operation of the true-time delay device is described, along with the overall system configuration. Preliminary experimental data are given.     

Interferometer for optical coherence tomography

We describe a new interferometer setup for optical coherence tomography (OCT). The interferometer is based on a fiber arrangement similar to Young's two-pinhole interference experiment with spatial coherent and temporal incoherent light. Depth gating is achieved detection of the interference signal on a linear CCD array. Therefore no reference optical delay scanning is needed. The interference signal, the modulation of the signal, the axial resolution, and the depth range are derived theoretically and compared with experiments. The dynamic range of the setup is compared with OCT sensors in the time domain. To our knowledge, the first images of porcine brain and heart tissue and human skin are presented.     

Programmable ultrashort optical pulse delay using an acousto-optic deflector

We present an optical pulse delay (OPD) for delaying ultrashort optical pulses that uses an acousto-optic deflector as an active component. The OPD is designed to correct for chromatic dispersion caused by the significant color spectrum of ultrashort pulses. It is intended to be used as one of the components in a three-dimensional memory system based on pulse-collision addressing in two-photon materials. Calculations show that the OPD should be able to provide 65 arbitrary delays with a random access time of ? 1 μs for 100-fs pulses. The power efficiency of the OPD can be as high as 85% and hence permits two units to be cascaded to provide more than 4000 distinct delays. The number of delays and the access time can be optimized such that a fewer number of delays are obtained with a shorter access time, which favors high-speed operations. We provide experimental results that use a Michelson interferometer to measure three different delays, approximately 1 mm apart (equivalent to ?3-ps time delay), obtained with 130-fs pulses. In addition we include an analysis of the performance of acousto-optic devices for both monochromatic light and ultrashort pulsed lasers. Finally, we provide the design of the optical pulse-delay system for a three-dimensional memory application.     

Delay and dispersion characteristics of a frequency-domain optical delay line for scanning interferometry

The reflective frequency-domain optical delay line employing a diffraction grating, a lens, and a tiltable mirror has emerged as a device particularly suitable for interferometry and optical coherence tomography. The device is comprehensively described, both theoretically and experimentally, in the context of interferometry. The variations of phase and group delay produced by the device as well as its dispersive properties are described and demonstrated experimentally.     

Electric field sensing system using coherence modulation of light

This paper describes an experimental setup for detecting electric fields using electrooptic lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/) sensors and coherence modulation of light. In this detection scheme, the sensed electric fields modulate optical delays, which are introduced by LiNbO/sub 3/ coherence modulators when associated to low-coherence optical sources. The optical delays act as coherence-multiplexed carriers of the sensed electric fields and are transmitted through an optical fiber channel. At the receiver, the electric fields are detected by measuring the auto-correlation of the received light by using two-wave interferometers, which are matched to the introduced optical delays on the sensing devices.     

Minimization of geometric-beam broadening in a grating-based time-domain delay line for optical coherence tomography application: comment

This is a comment on "Minimization of geometric-beam broadening in a grating-based time-domain delay line for optical coherence tomography application," J. Opt. Am. A24, 3808 (2007).     

Accurate measurement of interferometer group delay using field-compensated scanning white light interferometer

Interferometers are key elements in radial velocity (RV) experiments in astronomy observations, and accurate calibration of the group delay of an interferometer is required for high precision measurements. A novel field-compensated white light scanning Michelson interferometer is introduced as an interferometer calibration tool. The optical path difference (OPD) scanning was achieved by translating a compensation prism, such that even if the light source were in low spatial coherence, the interference stays spatially phase coherent over a large interferometer scanning range. In the wavelength region of 500-560 nm, a multimode fiber-coupled LED was used as the light source, and high optical efficiency was essential in elevating the signal-to-noise ratio of the interferogram signal. The achromatic OPD scanning required a one-time calibration, and two methods using dual-laser wavelength references and an iodine absorption spectrum reference were employed and cross-verified. In an experiment measuring the group delay of a fixed Michelson interferometer, Fourier analysis was employed to process the interferogram data. The group delay was determined at an accuracy of 1×10(-5), and the phase angle precision was typically 2.5×10(-6) over the wide wavelength region.     

天津大学光纤传感技术研究部分最新进展

本文介绍了天津大学在光纤传感技术研究领域的最新进展.主要为:基于白光干涉实现了非本征光纤法珀和FBG并行解调,法珀腔长测量误差0.81 μm,FBG波长测量误差14 pm;基于光纤有源内腔结构夹现了乙炔气体传感,灵敏度优于100ppm;基于保偏光纤实现了分布式传感,灵敏度可达6 cm;基于边缘滤波器开发了光纤光栅解调仪,波长分辨力可达1.2pm,扫描速率超过200kHz;采用全光纤OCT技术实现了牙齿模型的二维、三维扫描;实现了光纤陀螺光纤环的温度、振动等动态特性检测.     

Automated measurement of optical coherence lengths and opticaldelays for applications in coherence-modulated opticaltransmissions

The implementation of an automated system for analysis of coherence length of light and for the measurement of optical delays is reported. This type of measurement is very important for designing coherence-modulated optical transmission systems. Such systems have been studied for the last few years as new potential high-speed optical links useful for point-to-point, local area networks, and bidirectional transmissions, at optical wavelengths around 1300 nm. The main characteristics of coherence-modulated transmissions include the need of using low-coherence optical sources and integrated optics lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) electro-optic retarders. This paper describes the implementation of an automated system allowing the measurement of coherence lengths of semiconductor optical sources and also optical delays as essential data for designing coherence-modulated optical links. The reported results include characterization of commercial low-coherence semiconductor optical sources and integrated optics coherence modulators