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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: Michael Duncan
  • Vol. 14, Iss. 3 — Feb. 6, 2006
  • pp: 1145–1160

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 14 > Issue 3 > Page 1145

Continuum generation in a novel photonic crystal fiber for ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography at 800 nm and 1300 nm

Aaron Aguirre, Norihiko Nishizawa, James Fujimoto, Wolfgang Seitz, Max Lederer, and Daniel Kopf  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 14, Issue 3, pp. 1145-1160 (2006)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.14.001145


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Abstract

Ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) is demonstrated at 800 nm and 1300 nm using continuum generation in a single photonic crystal fiber with a parabolic dispersion profile and two closely spaced zero dispersion wavelengths. Both wavelengths are generated simultaneously by pumping the fiber with ~78 mW average power at 1064 nm in a 52 MHz, 85 fs pulse train from a compact Nd:Glass oscillator. Continuum processes result in a double peak spectrum with > 110 nm and 30 mW average power at 800 nm and > 150 nm and 48 mW at 1300 nm. OCT imaging with < 5 μm resolution in tissue at 1300 nm and < 3 μm resolution at 800 nm is demonstrated. Numerical modeling of propagation was used to predict the spectrum and can be used for further optimization to generate smooth, broad spectra for OCT applications.

© 2006 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(060.7140) Fiber optics and optical communications : Ultrafast processes in fibers
(170.3880) Medical optics and biotechnology : Medical and biological imaging
(170.4500) Medical optics and biotechnology : Optical coherence tomography
(320.7090) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast lasers

ToC Category:
Medical Optics and Biotechnology

History
Original Manuscript: December 14, 2005
Revised Manuscript: January 30, 2006
Manuscript Accepted: February 1, 2006
Published: February 6, 2006

Virtual Issues
Vol. 1, Iss. 3 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Aaron Aguirre, Norihiko Nishizawa, James Fujimoto, Wolfgang Seitz, Max Lederer, and Daniel Kopf, "Continuum generation in a novel photonic crystal fiber for ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography at 800 nm and 1300 nm," Opt. Express 14, 1145-1160 (2006)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-14-3-1145


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