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Ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography using a superluminescent light source

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Abstract

A superluminescent Ti:Al2O3 crystal is demonstrated as a light source for ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). Single spatial mode, fiber coupled output powers of ~40 μW can be generated with 138 nm bandwidth using a 5 W frequency doubled, diode pumped laser, pumping a thin Ti:Al2O3 crystal. Ultrahigh resolution OCT imaging is demonstrated with 2.2 μm axial resolution in air, or 1.7 μm in tissue, with >86 dB sensitivity. This light source provides a simple and robust alternative to femtosecond lasers for ultrahigh resolution OCT imaging.

©2002 Optical Society of America

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Figures (5)

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Experimental schematic of low coherence light source. A high doping density Ti:Al2O3 crystal enables pumping with a high excitation density per unit volume. A double pass pump and fluorescence collection geometry is used.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Output power coupled into a single mode optical fiber versus pump power. A double pass configuration approximately doubles the collected power.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. (left) Spectrum after coupling into a single mode optical fiber. The bandwidth is 138 nm centered at 761 nm. (right) Interference fringes from photodetector at the output of the OCT dual balanced interferometer. The axial resolution is 2.2 μm in air, corresponding to 1.7 μm in tissue.
Figure 4.
Figure 4. Schematic of ultrahigh resolution OCT system. A dual balanced interferometer was used to cancel the excess noise in the light source. Dispersion was balanced in the sample and reference arms.
Figure 5.
Figure 5. Ultrahigh resolution OCT imaging of African Frog (Xenopus Laevis) tadpole in vivo. (Left) Imaging was performed with <2 μm axial resolution and 5 μm transverse resolution. (Right) A composite image with extended depth of field formed by fusing 5 images with different focal depth settings.
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