Ultrahigh Scanning Speed Optical Coherence Tomography Using Optical Frequency Comb Generators

Abstract

A novel optical coherence tomography system without any moving parts for depth scanning was proposed and demonstrated. It was accomplished using two optical frequency comb generators, as broad-band spectrum generators, instead of moving parts for depth scanning. A high scanning speed of more than 12.5 km/s and also a high repetition rate of 500 kHz were achieved in a long scan range of 25 mm. The resolution was about 100 µm.

Towards Visible Soliton Microcomb Generation

“…The generated solitons have pulse repetition rates of 20 GHz at both wavelengths. Such detectable and electronics-compatible repetition rate soliton microcombs at short wavelengths have direct applications in the development of miniature optical clocks 9,22,23 and potentially optical coherence tomography [24][25][26] . Also, any application requiring low-power near-visible mode-locked laser sources will benefit.…”

“…More generally, microcomb sources in the visible and ultra-violet bands could provide a miniature alternative to larger mode-locked systems such as titanium sapphire lasers in cases where high power is not required. It is also possible that these shorter wavelength systems could be applied in optical coherence tomography systems [24][25][26] . Efforts directed toward short wavelength microcomb operation include 1 µm microcombs in silicon nitride microresonators 27 as well as harmonically generated combs.…”

Interferometer for profilometry and tomography using waveguide-type frequency comb generator

“…The system is consisting of a frequency comb light source, the Michelson interferometer, and the system control. The frequency comb light source was composed of a radio frequency (RF) signal generator and a waveguide-type comb generator consisting of an LN phase modulator with dielectric mirrors on the both end facets [4]. The frequency comb light was launched into the Michelson fiber interferometer that was composed of 3dB coupler and sample / reference lines.…”

Dual Ti:sapphire comb lasers by a fiber laser pumping scheme and a hand-sized optical frequency reference

“…Dual-comb laser systems, which consist of two mutually coherent frequency comb generators of slightly different repetition frequencies, have shown to be promising devices for interferometric measurements, such as optical coherence tomography [1] or multiheterodyne Fourier transform spectroscopy [2]. High-precision absorption and dispersion molecular spectra [3,4] were demonstrated with such systems.…”