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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 17, Iss. 12 — Jun. 8, 2009
  • pp: 9947–9961

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 17 > Issue 12 > Page 9947

Dispersion, coherence and noise of Fourier domain mode locked lasers

Benjamin R. Biedermann, Wolfgang Wieser, Christoph M. Eigenwillig, Thomas Klein, and Robert Huber  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 12, pp. 9947-9961 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.009947


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Abstract

We report on the effect of chromatic dispersion on coherence length and noise of Fourier Domain Mode Locked (FDML) lasers. An FDML laser with a sweep range of 100nm around 1550nm has been investigated. Cavity configurations with and without dispersion compensation have been analyzed using different widths of the intra-cavity optical band-pass filter. The measurements are compared to non-FDML wavelength swept laser sources. Based on these observations, a simple model is developed providing a connection between timing, photon cavity lifetime and characteristic time constant of the filter. In an optimized configuration, an instantaneous laser linewidth of 20pm is observed, corresponding to a 10× narrowing compared to the intra-cavity optical band-pass filter. A relative intensity noise of -133dBc/Hz or 0.2% at 100MHz detection bandwidth during sweep operation is observed. For optimum operation, the filter drive frequency has to be set within 2ppm or 120mHz at 51kHz.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(110.4280) Imaging systems : Noise in imaging systems
(120.3180) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Interferometry
(140.3600) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, tunable
(170.4500) Medical optics and biotechnology : Optical coherence tomography
(260.2030) Physical optics : Dispersion

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: January 26, 2009
Revised Manuscript: April 24, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: April 27, 2009
Published: May 29, 2009

Virtual Issues
Vol. 4, Iss. 8 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Benjamin R. Biedermann, Wolfgang Wieser, Christoph M. Eigenwillig, Thomas Klein, and Robert Huber, "Dispersion, coherence and noise of Fourier domain mode locked lasers," Opt. Express 17, 9947-9961 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-12-9947


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