Numerical simulation of a gradient-index fibre probe and its properties of light propagation

In order to verify the properties of the light propagating through a gradient-index (GRIN) fibre probe for optical coherence tomography (OCT), numerical simulation using the optical software GLAD is carried out. Firstly, the model of the GRIN fibre probe is presented, which is consisted of a single mode fibre (SMF), a no-core fibre (NCF), a GRIN fibre lens and an air path. Then, the software GLAD is adopted to numerically investigate how the lengths of the NCF and the GRIN fibre lens influence the performance of the Gaussian beam focusing through the GRIN fibre probe. The simulation results are well consistent with the experimental ones, showing that the GLAD based numerical simulation technique is an intuitive and effective tool for the verification of the properties of the light propagation. In this paper, we find that on the conditions of a constant GRIN fibre lens length of 0.1 mm and an NCF length of 0.36 mm, the working distance of the probe will be 0.75 mm and the focus spot size is 32 μm.     

Ball lens based lensed patch cord probes for optical coherence tomography in the field of dentistry

A lensed patch cord probe has been made with a ball lens packaged in a metal cylinder. By simply placing a ball lens directly in front of a fiber patch cord, a compact and potentially disposable sampling probe for optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be implemented. To achieve a sufficiently long working distance and a good transverse resolution simultaneously, the proper ball lens diameter and the distance between the ball lens and the fiber patch cord were investigated. Experimentally, a working distance of up to 5.2 mm, 3 dB bandwidth of 2 mm, and transverse resolution of 16 μm were achieved. With the patch cord probe, a common path swept source OCT system was implemented and used to demonstrate the feasibility as the dedicated probe for dentistry.     

梯度折射率球透镜的制备及其光线轨迹测试

自麦克斯韦鱼眼透镜理论模型提出后,长期以来学术界一直以为它只是一种绝对光学仪器,在实践中并没有应用的可能。但通过对麦克斯韦鱼眼微球透镜的理论研究表明,在一定条件下,它具有良好的成像性能和耦合效率。根据菲克定律推导出梯度折射率球透镜的折射率分布函数。并且熔制了含Li+硅酸盐玻璃和采用槽沉法以及Na+/Li+离子交换法制备直径为0.3—3.0mm的梯度折射率球透镜。通过干涉法测得了梯度折射率球透镜的折射率分布曲线,并研究了光线通过梯度折射率球透镜的轨迹。研究结果表明:在590℃,离子扩散系数为3.07×10-6mm2/s;所制备的梯度折射率球透镜的折射率分布是抛物线分布,并且和理论分析相吻合;梯度折射率球透镜的光线轨迹满足椭圆方程。     

超小自聚焦光纤探头的研究进展

梯度折射率（Gradient-index,GRIN）光纤探头是一种全光纤型超小光学镜头,在心血管等狭小空间组织内窥影像检测中具有广阔的应用前景。但其发展一直缺少系统的理论体系。本文讨论探头设计、制作和性能测试等方面的关键问题。基于GRIN光纤探头聚焦性能的特征参数,对解析设计方法与数值仿真设计方法进行比较分析。针对超小GRIN光纤探头的制作难题,研究一种光纤熔接和切割的高精度一体化集成装置,描述GRIN光纤探头的制作方法。此外,分析了超小GRIN光纤探头聚焦性能检测的方法及装置。本文为超小GRIN光纤探头的设计、制作及性能测试提供了一个方法体系。     

Ultrathin fiber probes with extended depth of focus for optical coherence tomography

We report on a novel scheme for extending the depth of focus (DOF) of ultrathin (125 μm diameter) fiber probes for optical coherence tomography (OCT) using a simple phase mask consisting of graded-index (GRIN) fiber. The technique is compatible with existing all-in-fiber probe fabrication techniques, and our simulations show that it can provide a DOF gain of ~2 at a modest ~5 dB reduction of peak sensitivity. In a prototype device using commercially available GRIN fiber, a DOF gain of 1.55 is obtained, validated by beam profiling and OCT imaging.     

基于旋转扫描探头的OCT内窥成像系统设计

为了同时获取样品的表面和深度信息,研究光学相干层析的成像原理,建立了基于光学相干层析技术的内窥系统,实现了旋转扫描成像,系统的工作波长为1 310 nm,工作带宽为80 nm.理论推导及计算机仿真得到了系统信噪比与干涉仪的分光比、反射率之间的关系并分析了理论分辨率和探测深度.提出外径为5 mm的内窥镜扫描探头,聚焦距离为12 mm,数值孔径NA为0.47,折射率分布常量A=0.218 7.利用微型电机驱动直角棱镜实现扫描,旋转速度为25 rpm,旋转一周得到640个采样点.采用多层盖玻片和洋葱表皮作为样品进行实验分析,得到了盖玻片和洋葱的图像,横向分辨率和纵向分辨率分别为10 μm和15 μm.结果表明,设计的光学相干层析内窥系统能够用于旋转扫描成像,获取更多的组织信息.     

基于旋转扫描探头的OCT内窥成像系统设计*

为了同时获取样品的表面和深度信息,研究光学相干层析的成像原理,建立了基于光学相干层析技术的内窥系统,实现了旋转扫描成像,系统的工作波长为1 310 nm,工作带宽为80 nm.理论推导及计算机仿真得到了系统信噪比与干涉仪的分光比、反射率之间的关系并分析了理论分辨率和探测深度.提出外径为5 mm的内窥镜扫描探头,聚焦距离为12 mm,数值孔径NA为0.47,折射率分布常量A=0.218 7.利用微型电机驱动直角棱镜实现扫描,旋转速度为25 rpm,旋转一周得到640个采样点.采用多层盖玻片和洋葱表皮作为样品进行实验分析,得到了盖玻片和洋葱的图像,横向分辨率和纵向分辨率分别为10 μm和15 μm.结果表明,设计的光学相干层析内窥系统能够用于旋转扫描成像,获取更多的组织信息.     

Fabrication of gradient refractive index ball lenses

The theoretical model of the Maxwell fish eye sphere lens has long been regarded as an absolute optical instrument without practical application since it was proposed. But the study on the theory of Maxwell fish eye micro-spherical lens shows that at certain condition it has fine image formation ability and coupling efficiency. Based on the Fick's diffusion equations, the distribution function of refractive index of gradient refractive index (GRIN) ball lenses is derived. Lithium-containing silicate glass is fabricated and GRIN ball lenses whose diameters are from 0.3 to 3.0 mm are made by ion exchange and the sagging method in sodium nitrate. Radial refractive index profiles of these GRIN ball lens are measured by interferometer. Results show that the distribution of the index of refraction is a parabolic curve and in concordance with the computational consequence and its Δn is 0.0002.     

Paired-angle-rotation scanning optical coherence tomography forward-imaging probe

We report a novel forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT), needle-probe paired-angle-rotation scanning OCT (PARS-OCT) probe. The probe uses two rotating angled gradient-index lenses to scan the output OCT probe beam over a wide angular arc (approximately 19 degrees half-angle) of the region forward of the probe. Among other advantages, this probe design is readily amenable to miniaturization and is capable of a variety of scan modes, including volumetric scans. To demonstrate the advantages of the probe design, we have constructed a prototype probe with an outer diameter of 1.65 mm and employed it to acquire four OCT images, with a 45 degrees angle between adjacent images, of the gill structure of a Xenopus laevis tadpole. The system sensitivity was measured to be 93 dB by using the prototype probe with an illumination power of 450 microW on the sample. Moreover, the axial and the lateral resolutions of the probe are 9.3 and 10.3-12.5 microm, respectively.     

Two-dimensional scanning probe driven by a solenoid-based single actuator for optical coherence tomography

We propose the two-dimensional scanning probe operating with a single actuator, which is thought useful as a sample probe for optical coherence tomography (OCT). The probe was designed to use a single-body lensed fiber cantilever loaded with an iron-bead and driven by a single-solenoid actuator. Elliptic spiral trace patterns were achieved using off-axis magnetic fields of the solenoid. A three-dimensional OCT image was obtained for a scanning area of 3.8 mm × 3.4 mm at an acquisition speed of 16.7 s/V. Up to 27 Hz B-scan rate, the proposed probe worked well, and 1000 A-scans were made per each B-scan.     

Rapid-scanning forward-imaging miniature endoscope for real-time optical coherence tomography

We developed a miniature endoscope that is capable of rapid lateral scanning and is suitable for real-time forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT). The endoscope has an outer diameter of 2.4 mm, consisting of a miniature tubular lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuator, a single-mode fiber-optic cantilever, and a graded-index lens. Rapid lateral scanning at 2.8 kHz is achieved when the fiber-optic cantilever is resonated with the PZT actuator. This allows OCT imaging to be performed by fast lateral beam scanning followed by slow depth scanning, which is different from the conventional OCT imaging sequence. Real-time OCT imaging with the endoscope operated in the new image acquisition sequence at 6 frames/s is demonstrated.     

平行光束反射光强调制型光纤位移传感器研究

讨论并建立了一种基于平行光束发射光强调制的光纤位移传感器，该传感器的入射和接收光纤的端部都用渐变折射率光纤（GRIN）制成的透镜耦合，入射光纤的渐变折射率光纤透镜发出的平行光束以一定入射角照射到试件表面，接收渐变折射率光纤透镜放置在入射光的镜面反射方向，详细分析了试件表面为镜面反射和朗伯反射时传感器的输出特性，由仿真计算可知，通过调整测头的结构参量，该传感器可获得较强的输出信号，适用于对测量范围和工作点有灵活要求的场合。     

Fabrication of gradient refractive index ball lenses using the method of combination of ion exchanging and sagging

Based on the Fick’s diffusion equations, the distribution function of refractive index of a gradient refractive index ball lens (GRIN ball lens/GBL) is derived. Lithium containing silicate glass is fabricated and GRIN ball lenses (GBLs) which diameters are from 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm are made by the method of combination of Ion exchanging and sagging in sodium nitrate. Refractive index profiles of these GBLs are measured by interferometer, and the performances such as effective focal length (EFL), back focal length (BFL) and numerical aperture (NA) between GBLs and homogeneous ball lenses (HBLs) are compared. Results show that the distribution of the index of refraction is parabolic curve and its Δn is about 0.0002, the performances of the former are super to the latter.     

采用光纤技术实现拉曼光谱和扫描隧道显微镜实时联用测试

设计并制作了与扫描隧道显微镜（ＳＴＭ）探头和拉曼光谱仪相适配的光纤探测装置，该装置采用配有不很短焦距的自聚焦透镜以获得较大的相对孔径，并使用多束光纤以充分利用扫描隧道显微镜探针周围有限空间，提高了拉曼散射光的收集效率，获得具有较高信噪比的拉曼谱图，在该装置的基础上进一步建立拉曼－扫描隧道显微镜联用系统，初步实验表明该联用系统用于实时研究固／气和固／液界面体系是可行的，即利用扫描隧道显微镜可获得固体     

Integrated multimodal endomicroscopy platform for simultaneous en face optical coherence and two-photon fluorescence imaging

We report an all-fiber-optic scanning, multimodal endomicroscope capable of simultaneous optical coherence tomography (OCT) and two-photon fluorescence (TPF) imaging. Both imaging modalities share the same miniature fiber-optic scanning endomicroscope, which consists of a double-clad fiber with a core operating in single mode at both the OCT (1310 nm) and two-photon excitation (1550 nm) wavelengths, a piezoelectric two-dimensional fiber-optic beam scanner, and a miniature aspherical compound lens suitable for simultaneous acquisition of en face OCT and TPF images. A fiber-optic wavelength division multiplexer was employed in the integrated platform to combine the low coherence OCT light source and the femtosecond two-photon excitation laser into the same optical path. Preliminary imaging results of cell cultures and mouse tissue ex vivo demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous real-time OCT and TPF imaging in a scanning endomicroscopy setting for the first time.     

基于拉锥结构的全光纤型内窥OCT探针研究

本文报道了一种基于拉锥结构的全光纤型内窥光学相干层析成像探针. 基于大纤芯多模光纤的低光束发散特性, 使用大纤芯多模光纤代替透镜作为成像元件, 并在单模光纤与大纤芯多模光纤之间引入过渡拉锥段以减少插入损耗. 首先利用光学仿真软件(Rsoft)确定探针的最佳结构, 然后通过拉锥、切割以及熔接工艺实现探针制作, 并对探针的出射光束特性与插入损耗进行测量, 最后将该探针与扫频光学相干层析成像主系统联机, 对人体指尖皮肤及鸡气管壁组织进行成像. 该探针直径为250 μm, 不锈钢保护管外径为325 μm, 硬端长度1 cm, 插入损耗约为0.3 dB, 空气中有效成像范围达800 μm. 该探针为内窥光学相干层析成像技术在心血管疾病的应用提供了高紧凑度、高传输效率与高灵活性的选择.     

Combined system of optical coherence tomography and fluorescence spectroscopy based on double-cladding fiber

We report the development of an all-fiber multimodal system, based on a double-cladding fiber (DCF) and related devices, suitable for simultaneous measurements of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS). The DCF together with a DCF coupler and a single-body DCF lens has assisted in the realization of a multimodal but single-unit probe for the combined system. The DCF lens allowed simultaneous focusing of input beams for OCT and FS and also the effective collection of both signal beams from a sample. The DCF coupler could extract the OCT signal via the core channel and the FS signal through the cladding channel. The OCT image and the fluorescence spectra of a plant tissue were then simultaneously measured to validate the performance of the proposed multimodal system.     

Single-body lensed photonic crystal fibers as side-viewing probes for optical imaging systems

We report the fabrication and performance of a lensed photonic crystal fiber (PCF) designed as a compact but effective side-viewing optical imaging probe. The lensed-PCF probe was implemented in a single body without using any other fibers or additional optics. The beam expansion region and a focusing ball lens, necessary for a focuser, were simultaneously formed along a small piece of PCF by applying arc discharges. The side-viewing ability was provided by polishing the ball lens with a femtosecond laser to form a total internal reflection surface. The working distance and the transverse resolution of the fabricated single-body lensed-PCF were experimentally measured to be 570 and 6.8 microm, respectively. With the proposed lensed-PCF probe, optical coherence tomography images of an in vitro biological sample were successfully obtained.     

Forward imaging OCT endoscopic catheter based on MEMS lens scanning

This Letter reports a fully packaged microelectromechanical system (MEMS) endoscopic catheter for forward imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT). Two-dimensional optical scanning of Lissajous patterns was realized by the orthogonal movement of two commercial aspherical glass lenses laterally mounted on two resonating electrostatic MEMS microstages at low operating voltages. The MEMS lens scanner was integrated on a printed circuit board and packaged with an aluminum housing, a gradient index fiber collimator, and an objective lens. A home-built spectral-domain OCT system with 60 kHz A-line acquisition rate was combined with the endoscopic MEMS catheter. Three-dimensional images of 256×256×995 voxels were directly reconstructed by mapping the A-line datasets along the Lissajous patterns. The endoscopic catheter can provide a new direction for forward endoscopic OCT imaging.