Fourier Domain Mode Locking (FDML): A new laser operating regime and applications for optical coherence tomography

R. Huber; M. Wojtkowski; J. G. Fujimoto

doi:10.1364/OE.14.003225

Fourier Domain Mode Locking (FDML): A new laser operating regime and applications for optical coherence tomography

R. Huber, M. Wojtkowski, and J. G. Fujimoto

Optics Express
Vol. 14,
Issue 8,
pp. 3225-3237
(2006)
•https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.14.003225

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R. Huber, M. Wojtkowski, and J. G. Fujimoto, "Fourier Domain Mode Locking (FDML): A new laser operating regime and applications for optical coherence tomography," Opt. Express 14, 3225-3237 (2006)

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Related Topics
Table of Contents Category
- Imaging Systems
Optics & Photonics Topics
?

The topics in this list come from the OSA Optics and Photonics Topics applied to this article.
Previously assigned OCIS codes
- Optical coherence tomography (110.4500)
- Lasers, tunable (140.3600)

About this Article
History
- Original Manuscript: January 20, 2006
- Revised Manuscript: March 30, 2006
- Manuscript Accepted: April 2, 2006
- Published: April 17, 2006
Virtual Issues
Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics Vol. 1, Iss. 5

Accessible

Open Access

Abstract

We demonstrate a new technique for frequency-swept laser operation--Fourier domain mode locking (FDML)--and its application for swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. FDML is analogous to active laser mode locking for short pulse generation, except that the spectrum rather than the amplitude of the light field is modulated. High-speed, narrowband optical frequency sweeps are generated with a repetition period equal to the fundamental or a harmonic of cavity round-trip time. An FDML laser is constructed using a long fiber ring cavity, a semiconductor optical amplifier, and a tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filter. Effective sweep rates of up to 290 kHz are demonstrated with a 105 nm tuning range at 1300 nm center wavelength. The average output power is 3 mW directly from the laser and 20 mW after post-amplification. Using the FDML laser for swept-source OCT, sensitivities of 108 dB are achieved and dynamic linewidths are narrow enough to enable imaging over a 7 mm depth with only a 7.5 dB decrease in sensitivity. We demonstrate swept-source OCT imaging with acquisition rates of up to 232,000 axial scans per second. This corresponds to 906 frames/second with 256 transverse pixel images, and 3.5 volumes/second with a 256×128×256 voxel element 3-D OCT data set. The FDML laser is ideal for swept-source OCT imaging, thus enabling high imaging speeds and large imaging depths.

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References

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D. Huang, E. A. Swanson, C. P. Lin, J. S. Schuman, W. G. Stinson, W. Chang, M. R. Hee, T. Flotte, K. Gregory, C. A. Puliafito, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography,” Science 254, 1178–1181 (1991).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]
F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]
B. Golubovic, B. E. Bouma, G. J. Tearney, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry using rapid wavelength tuning of a Cr4+:forsterite laser,” Opt. Lett. 22, 1704–1706 (1997).
[Crossref]
S. R. Chinn, E. A. Swanson, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography using a frequency-tunable optical source,” Opt. Lett. 22, 340–342 (1997).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, J. F. de Boer, N. Iftimia, and B. E. Bouma, “High-speed optical frequency-domain imaging,” Opt. Express 11, 2953–2963 (2003). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-11-22-2953.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
S. H. Yun, C. Boudoux, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “High-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser with a polygon-scanner-based wavelength filter,” Opt. Lett. 28, 1981–1983 (2003).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
R. Huber, M. Wojtkowski, K. Taira, J. G. Fujimoto, and K. Hsu, “Amplified, frequency swept lasers for frequency domain reflectometry and OCT imaging: design and scaling principles,” Opt. Express 13, 3513–3528 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-13-9-3513.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
M. A. Choma, K. Hsu, and J. Izatt, “Swept source optical coherence tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source,” J. Biomed. Opt. 10, 044009 (2005).
[Crossref]
R. Huber, M. Wojtkowski, J. G. Fujimoto, J. Y. Jiang, and A. E. Cable, “Three-dimensional and C-mode OCT imaging with a compact, frequency swept laser source at 1300 nm,” Opt. Express 13, 10523–10538 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-13-26-10523.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
Y. Yasuno, V. Madjarova, S. Makita, M. Akiba, A. Morosawa, C. Chong, T. Sakai, K. Chan, M. Itoh, and T. Yatagai, “Three-dimensional and high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography for in vivo investigation of human anterior eye segments,” Opt. Express 13, 10652–10664 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?id=86669.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
S. T. Sanders, J. A. Baldwin, T. P. Jenkins, D. S. Baer, and R. K. Hanson, “Diode-laser sensor for monitoring multiple combustion parameters in pulse detonation engines,” P. Combust. Inst. 28, 587–594 (2000).
[Crossref]
J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]
G. Totschnig, M. Lackner, R. Shau, M. Ortsiefer, J. Rosskopf, M. C. Amann, and F. Winter, “1.8 mu m vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser absorption measurements of HCl, H2O and CH4,” Meas. Sci. Technol. 14, 472–478 (2003).
[Crossref]
A. A. Bol’shakov, B. A. Cruden, and S. P. Sharma, “Determination of gas temperature and thermometric species in inductively coupled plasmas by emission and diode laser absorption,” Plasma Sci. Technol. 13, 691–700 (2004).
[Crossref]
L. A. Kranendonk, R. J. Bartula, and S. T. Sanders, “Modeless operation of a wavelength-agile laser by highspeed cavity length changes,” Opt. Express 13, 1498–1507 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-13-5-1498.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
W. Eickhoff and R. Ulrich, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry in single-mode fiber,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 39, 693–695 (1981).
[Crossref]
R. Passy, N. Gisin, J. P. Vonderweid, and H. H. Gilgen, “Experimental and theoretical investigations of coherent Ofdr with semiconductor-laser sources,” J. Lightwave Technol. 12, 1622–1630 (1994).
[Crossref]
U. Glombitza and E. Brinkmeyer, “Coherent frequency-domain reflectometry for characterization of single-mode integrated-optical wave-guides,” J. Lightwave Technol. 11, 1377–1384 (1993).
[Crossref]
H. Barfuss and E. Brinkmeyer, ”Modified optical frequency-domain reflectometry with high spatial-resolution for components of integrated optic systems,” J. Lightwave Technol. 7, 3–10 (1989).
[Crossref]
M. A. Choma, M. V. Sarunic, C. Yang, and J. Izatt, “Sensitivity advantage of swept source and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11, 2183–2189 (2003). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-11-18-2183.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
M. Wojtkowski, R. Leitgeb, A. Kowalczyk, T. Bajraszewski, and A. F. Fercher, “In vivo human retinal imaging by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography,” J. Biomed. Opt. 7, 457–463 (2002).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, B. E. Bouma, B. H. Park, and J. F. de Boer, “High-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 1.3 mu m wavelength,” Opt. Express 11, 3598–3604 (2003). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-11-26-3598.
[Crossref] [PubMed]
N. A. Nassif, B. Cense, B. H. Park, M. C. Pierce, S. H. Yun, B. E. Bouma, G. J. Tearney, T. C. Chen, and J. F. de Boer, “In vivo high-resolution video-rate spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the human retina and optic nerve,” Opt. Express 12, 367–376 (2004). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-12-3-367.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

2005 (6)

R. Huber, M. Wojtkowski, K. Taira, J. G. Fujimoto, and K. Hsu, “Amplified, frequency swept lasers for frequency domain reflectometry and OCT imaging: design and scaling principles,” Opt. Express 13, 3513–3528 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-13-9-3513.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

M. A. Choma, K. Hsu, and J. Izatt, “Swept source optical coherence tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source,” J. Biomed. Opt. 10, 044009 (2005).
[Crossref]

R. Huber, M. Wojtkowski, J. G. Fujimoto, J. Y. Jiang, and A. E. Cable, “Three-dimensional and C-mode OCT imaging with a compact, frequency swept laser source at 1300 nm,” Opt. Express 13, 10523–10538 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-13-26-10523.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Y. Yasuno, V. Madjarova, S. Makita, M. Akiba, A. Morosawa, C. Chong, T. Sakai, K. Chan, M. Itoh, and T. Yatagai, “Three-dimensional and high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography for in vivo investigation of human anterior eye segments,” Opt. Express 13, 10652–10664 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?id=86669.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

L. A. Kranendonk, R. J. Bartula, and S. T. Sanders, “Modeless operation of a wavelength-agile laser by highspeed cavity length changes,” Opt. Express 13, 1498–1507 (2005). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-13-5-1498.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

2004 (2)

A. A. Bol’shakov, B. A. Cruden, and S. P. Sharma, “Determination of gas temperature and thermometric species in inductively coupled plasmas by emission and diode laser absorption,” Plasma Sci. Technol. 13, 691–700 (2004).
[Crossref]

N. A. Nassif, B. Cense, B. H. Park, M. C. Pierce, S. H. Yun, B. E. Bouma, G. J. Tearney, T. C. Chen, and J. F. de Boer, “In vivo high-resolution video-rate spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the human retina and optic nerve,” Opt. Express 12, 367–376 (2004). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-12-3-367.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

2003 (5)

S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, B. E. Bouma, B. H. Park, and J. F. de Boer, “High-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 1.3 mu m wavelength,” Opt. Express 11, 3598–3604 (2003). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-11-26-3598.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

M. A. Choma, M. V. Sarunic, C. Yang, and J. Izatt, “Sensitivity advantage of swept source and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography,” Opt. Express 11, 2183–2189 (2003). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-11-18-2183.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, J. F. de Boer, N. Iftimia, and B. E. Bouma, “High-speed optical frequency-domain imaging,” Opt. Express 11, 2953–2963 (2003). http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-11-22-2953.
[Crossref] [PubMed]

S. H. Yun, C. Boudoux, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “High-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser with a polygon-scanner-based wavelength filter,” Opt. Lett. 28, 1981–1983 (2003).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

G. Totschnig, M. Lackner, R. Shau, M. Ortsiefer, J. Rosskopf, M. C. Amann, and F. Winter, “1.8 mu m vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser absorption measurements of HCl, H2O and CH4,” Meas. Sci. Technol. 14, 472–478 (2003).
[Crossref]

2002 (1)

M. Wojtkowski, R. Leitgeb, A. Kowalczyk, T. Bajraszewski, and A. F. Fercher, “In vivo human retinal imaging by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography,” J. Biomed. Opt. 7, 457–463 (2002).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

2001 (1)

J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]

2000 (1)

S. T. Sanders, J. A. Baldwin, T. P. Jenkins, D. S. Baer, and R. K. Hanson, “Diode-laser sensor for monitoring multiple combustion parameters in pulse detonation engines,” P. Combust. Inst. 28, 587–594 (2000).
[Crossref]

1997 (3)

F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]

B. Golubovic, B. E. Bouma, G. J. Tearney, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry using rapid wavelength tuning of a Cr4+:forsterite laser,” Opt. Lett. 22, 1704–1706 (1997).
[Crossref]

S. R. Chinn, E. A. Swanson, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography using a frequency-tunable optical source,” Opt. Lett. 22, 340–342 (1997).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

1995 (1)

A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]

1994 (1)

R. Passy, N. Gisin, J. P. Vonderweid, and H. H. Gilgen, “Experimental and theoretical investigations of coherent Ofdr with semiconductor-laser sources,” J. Lightwave Technol. 12, 1622–1630 (1994).
[Crossref]

1993 (1)

U. Glombitza and E. Brinkmeyer, “Coherent frequency-domain reflectometry for characterization of single-mode integrated-optical wave-guides,” J. Lightwave Technol. 11, 1377–1384 (1993).
[Crossref]

1991 (1)

D. Huang, E. A. Swanson, C. P. Lin, J. S. Schuman, W. G. Stinson, W. Chang, M. R. Hee, T. Flotte, K. Gregory, C. A. Puliafito, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography,” Science 254, 1178–1181 (1991).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

1989 (1)

H. Barfuss and E. Brinkmeyer, ”Modified optical frequency-domain reflectometry with high spatial-resolution for components of integrated optic systems,” J. Lightwave Technol. 7, 3–10 (1989).
[Crossref]

1981 (1)

W. Eickhoff and R. Ulrich, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry in single-mode fiber,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 39, 693–695 (1981).
[Crossref]

Akiba, M.

Amann, M. C.

Baer, D. S.

Bajraszewski, T.

Baldwin, J. A.

Barfuss, H.

Bartula, R. J.

Bol’shakov, A. A.

Boudoux, C.

Bouma, B. E.

W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Brinkmeyer, E.

Cable, A. E.

Cense, B.

Chan, K.

Chang, W.

Chen, T. C.

Chinn, S. R.

S. R. Chinn, E. A. Swanson, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography using a frequency-tunable optical source,” Opt. Lett. 22, 340–342 (1997).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Choma, M. A.

M. A. Choma, K. Hsu, and J. Izatt, “Swept source optical coherence tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source,” J. Biomed. Opt. 10, 044009 (2005).
[Crossref]

Chong, C.

Cruden, B. A.

de Boer, J. F.

Eickhoff, W.

W. Eickhoff and R. Ulrich, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry in single-mode fiber,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 39, 693–695 (1981).
[Crossref]

Elzaiat, S. Y.

A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]

Fercher, A. F.

F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]

A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]

Flotte, T.

Fujimoto, J. G.

S. R. Chinn, E. A. Swanson, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography using a frequency-tunable optical source,” Opt. Lett. 22, 340–342 (1997).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Gilgen, H. H.

Gisin, N.

Glombitza, U.

Golubovic, B.

Gregory, K.

Hanson, R. K.

J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]

Hee, M. R.

Hitzenberger, C. K.

F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]

A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]

Hsu, K.

M. A. Choma, K. Hsu, and J. Izatt, “Swept source optical coherence tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source,” J. Biomed. Opt. 10, 044009 (2005).
[Crossref]

Huang, D.

Huber, R.

Iftimia, N.

Itoh, M.

Izatt, J.

M. A. Choma, K. Hsu, and J. Izatt, “Swept source optical coherence tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source,” J. Biomed. Opt. 10, 044009 (2005).
[Crossref]

Jeffries, J. B.

J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]

Jenkins, T. P.

Jiang, J. Y.

Kamp, G.

A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]

Kowalczyk, A.

Kranendonk, L. A.

Kulhavy, M.

F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]

Lackner, M.

Leitgeb, R.

Lexer, F.

F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]

Lin, C. P.

Madjarova, V.

Makita, S.

Morosawa, A.

Nassif, N. A.

Oh, W. Y.

W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Ortsiefer, M.

Park, B. H.

Passy, R.

Pierce, M. C.

Puliafito, C. A.

Rosskopf, J.

Sakai, T.

Sanders, S. T.

J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]

Sarunic, M. V.

Schuman, J. S.

Sharma, S. P.

Shau, R.

Stinson, W. G.

Swanson, E. A.

S. R. Chinn, E. A. Swanson, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography using a frequency-tunable optical source,” Opt. Lett. 22, 340–342 (1997).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Taira, K.

Tearney, G. J.

W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Totschnig, G.

Ulrich, R.

W. Eickhoff and R. Ulrich, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry in single-mode fiber,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 39, 693–695 (1981).
[Crossref]

Vonderweid, J. P.

Wang, J.

J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]

Winter, F.

Wojtkowski, M.

Yang, C.

Yasuno, Y.

Yatagai, T.

Yun, S. H.

W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Appl. Opt. (1)

F. Lexer, C. K. Hitzenberger, A. F. Fercher, and M. Kulhavy, “Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances,” Appl. Opt. 36, 6548–6553 (1997).
[Crossref]

Appl. Phys. B (1)

J. Wang, S. T. Sanders, J. B. Jeffries, and R. K. Hanson, “Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers,” Appl. Phys. B 72, 865–872 (2001).
[Crossref]

Appl. Phys. Lett. (1)

W. Eickhoff and R. Ulrich, “Optical frequency-domain reflectometry in single-mode fiber,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 39, 693–695 (1981).
[Crossref]

J. Biomed. Opt. (2)

M. A. Choma, K. Hsu, and J. Izatt, “Swept source optical coherence tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source,” J. Biomed. Opt. 10, 044009 (2005).
[Crossref]

J. Lightwave Technol. (3)

Meas. Sci. Technol. (1)

Opt. Commun. (1)

A. F. Fercher, C. K. Hitzenberger, G. Kamp, and S. Y. Elzaiat, “Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry,” Opt. Commun. 117, 43–48 (1995).
[Crossref]

Opt. Express (8)

Opt. Lett. (4)

W. Y. Oh, S. H. Yun, G. J. Tearney, and B. E. Bouma, “115 kHz tuning repetition rate ultrahigh-speed wavelength-swept semiconductor laser,” Opt. Lett. 30, 3159–3161 (2005).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

S. R. Chinn, E. A. Swanson, and J. G. Fujimoto, “Optical coherence tomography using a frequency-tunable optical source,” Opt. Lett. 22, 340–342 (1997).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

P. Combust. Inst. (1)

Plasma Sci. Technol. (1)

Science (1)

Supplementary Material (2)

» Media 1: MOV (2024 KB)

» Media 2: MOV (1388 KB)

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Fig. 1.

Left: Standard tunable laser. The light from a broadband gain medium is spectrally filtered by a tunable narrowband optical bandpass filter and coupled back to the gain medium. Only the longitudinal modes with frequencies within the spectral filter window of the optical bandpass are transmitted and have energy. Right: In Fourier domain mode locking (FDML), an entire frequency sweep is optically stored within the laser cavity. The tunable optical bandpass filter is periodically driven with a period matched to the round-trip time of the cavity or a harmonic. The synchronous drive of the optical tunable filter ensures that the light transmitted through the filter will return to the filter at a time when the filter is tuned to the same spectral position again. Therefore, lasing does not have to build up repeatedly from spontaneous emission.

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Fig. 2.

Schematic diagram of the Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML), high-speed, frequency-swept laser.

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Fig. 3.

Schematic of the swept-source OCT system (optics: blue; electronics: green).

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Fig. 4.

Transient intensity profiles of the FDML laser for different effective sweep rates. The traces always show the transient intensity for one forward and one backward frequency sweep.

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Fig. 5.

Integrated spectra of the FDML source for different effective sweep rates.

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Fig. 6.

Axial OCT point spread function (PSF)-resolution in air 12.7 μm (FWHM of amplitude) corresponds to ~9 μm in tissue.

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Fig. 7.

Measured OCT PSFs on a logarithmic scale for different delays, which is relative to the interferometer reference arm length of the Michelson interferometer. The depth scale of 0 mm to 7 mm in the graph reflects actual imaging depth and corresponds to a optical roundtrip delay of 0 mm to 14 mm. The scale is adjusted by a constant, such that the peak values reflect the sensitivity values at the different depth positions.

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Fig. 8.

Image of human finger in vivo. The image size is 4096×1024 pixels and is acquired in 0.097 s, which corresponds to 42,000 axial scans/s and 10 frames/s.

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Fig. 9.

Formalin-fixed hamster cheek pouch specimen in vitro. A 3-D OCT data set acquired in 0.8 s. The 512×512×200 pixel volume was recorded at 124,000 axial scans/s, 242 frames/s and 1.2 volumes/s. The animation shows a fly-through visualization of the 3-D OCT data set (2.0MB).

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Fig. 10.

Human finger in vivo. 3-D data set acquired in 0.28 s. The 256×128×256 pixel volume was recorded at 232,000 axial scans/s, 906 frames/s, and 3.5 volumes/s. The animation shows a volume-rendered representation of the 3-D OCT data set (1.4MB).

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Equations (2)

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τ_{gate} = \frac{Δ λ}{η ∙ f_{drive} ∙ Δ λ_{tuningrange}}

Δ τ_{disp} = {(λ - 1313 nm)}^{2} ∙ 0.086 \frac{ps}{km ∙ {nm}^{2}} ∙ L