Affiliation:
1. Harvard Medical School
2. Massachusetts General Hospital
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Circular-ranging optical coherence tomography (CR–OCT) systems that use
a time–stepped frequency comb source generate interference fringe
signals that are more complex than those of a conventional
swept–source OCT system. Here, we define a common terminology for
describing these signals, and we develop a mathematical framework that
relates the radio-frequency (RF) properties of these fringe signals to
the parameters of the frequency comb source. With this framework, we
highlight non-intuitive mechanisms whereby the design of the frequency
comb source can affect imaging performance. We show, for example, that
amplitude–pulsed time–stepped frequency comb sources have a
sensitivity advantage over constant power time–stepped frequency comb
sources. More broadly, this framework and associated terminology
provide a foundation on which to design and optimize time–stepped
frequency comb sources and systems.
Funder
National Institutes of
Health
Subject
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics