Open AccessHigh-speed optical coherence tomography using fiberoptic acousto-optic phase modulation
Author(s) -
Tianwu Xie,
Zhenguo Wang,
Yingtian Pan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.11.003210
Subject(s) - optics , optical coherence tomography , doppler effect , demodulation , duty cycle , heterodyne (poetry) , phase modulation , modulation (music) , signal (programming language) , frequency modulation , heterodyne detection , physics , phase noise , materials science , computer science , radio frequency , laser , telecommunications , acoustics , channel (broadcasting) , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , astronomy , programming language
We report a new rapid-scanning optical delay device suitable for high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) in which an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is used to independently modulate the Doppler frequency shift of the reference light beam for optical heterodyne detection. Experimental results show that the fluctuation of the measured Doppler frequency shift is less than +/-0.2% over 95% duty cycle of OCT imaging, thus allowing for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio of optical heterodyne detection. The increased Doppler frequency shift by AOM also permits complete envelop demodulation without the compromise of reducing axial resolution; if used with a resonant rapid-scanning optical delay, it will permit high-performance real-time OCT imaging. Potentially, this new rapid-scanning optical delay device will improve the performance of high-speed Doppler OCT techniques.