Coherence length extension of Fourier domain mode locked lasers

Desmond C. Adler; Wolfgang Wieser; Francois Trepanier; Joseph M. Schmitt; Robert A. Huber

doi:10.1117/12.908148

7 February 2012 Coherence length extension of Fourier domain mode locked lasers

Desmond C. Adler, Wolfgang Wieser, Francois Trepanier, Joseph M. Schmitt, Robert A. Huber

Proceedings Volume 8213, Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XVI; 82130O (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908148
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Fourier domain mode locked (FDML) lasers provide high sweep rates, broad tuning ranges, and high output powers for optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. However, presently-known FDML lasers at 1300 nm have relatively short coherence lengths, limiting the size of samples that can be imaged. Furthermore, FDML lasers produce only one useable sweep direction. We report FDML coherence length extension by incorporating advanced dispersion compensation modules (DCMs). DCMs eliminate group velocity dispersion in the cavity, doubling coherence lengths and ensuring uniform axial resolution over the imaging range. Additionally, forward and backward sweeps are nearly identical, removing the need for external buffering stages.

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Desmond C. Adler, Wolfgang Wieser, Francois Trepanier, Joseph M. Schmitt, and Robert A. Huber "Coherence length extension of Fourier domain mode locked lasers", Proc. SPIE 8213, Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XVI, 82130O (7 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908148

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