Towards sub-5 µm axial resolution OCT from a multi-MHz swept source

Abstract

We present an ultrafast swept source for optical coherence tomography (OCT) at a central wavelength of 1050 nm with a 86 nm bandwidth. Based on low noise supercontinuum dynamics and time stretch, this akinetic swept source operates at 10 MHz. The fast sweep rate and the low noise of the source enable high-speed imaging at a wavelength suitable for biological tissue (eye, skin). Such a light source presents a significant potential in achieving a large bandwidth beyond the limitations of current high-speed swept-source technologies.