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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 17, Iss. 21 — Oct. 12, 2009
  • pp: 18794–18807

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 17 > Issue 21 > Page 18794

Wavelength swept amplified spontaneous emission source

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


Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 21, pp. 18794-18807 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.018794


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Abstract

We present a new, alternative approach to realize a wavelength swept light source with no fundamental limit to sweep speed. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light alternately passes a cascade of optical gain elements and tunable optical bandpass filters. We show that for high sweep speeds, the control signal for the different filters has to be applied with a defined, precise phase delay on the order of nanoseconds, to compensate for the light propagation time between the filters and ensure optimum operation. At a center wavelength of 1300 nm sweep rates of 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 340 kHz over a sweep range of 100 nm full width and an average power of 50 mW are demonstrated. For application in optical coherence tomography (OCT), an axial resolution of 12 µm (air), a sensitivity of 120 dB (50 mW) and a dynamic range of 50 dB are achieved and OCT imaging is demonstrated. Performance parameters like coherence properties and relative intensity noise (RIN) are quantified, discussed and compared to the performance of Fourier Domain Mode Locked (FDML) lasers. Physical models for the observed difference in performance are provided.

© 2009 OSA

OCIS Codes
(110.4280) Imaging systems : Noise in imaging systems
(110.4500) Imaging systems : Optical coherence tomography
(120.2230) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Fabry-Perot
(120.2440) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Filters
(120.3180) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Interferometry
(140.3600) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, tunable

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: July 29, 2009
Revised Manuscript: August 28, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: September 1, 2009
Published: October 2, 2009

Virtual Issues
Vol. 4, Iss. 12 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Christoph M. Eigenwillig, Benjamin R. Biedermann, Wolfgang Wieser, and Robert Huber, "Wavelength swept amplified spontaneous emission source," Opt. Express 17, 18794-18807 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-21-18794


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