Spectral shaping to improve the point spread function in optical coherence tomography

We demonstrate inhibition of the sidelobes of the axial point spread function in optical coherence tomography by shaping the power spectrum of the light source with a remaining power of 4.54 mW. A broadband amplified spontaneous emission source radiating at 1565 +/- 40 nm is employed in a free-space optical coherence tomography system. The axial point spread functions before and after optical spectral shaping are presented. Results show that spectral shaping of the source can inhibit sidelobes of the point spread function up to 12.9 dB, with an associated small increase of 2.2 dB in noise floor in the far field. The effect of spectral shaping on axial resolution is demonstrated according to three metrics. Image quality improvement is also illustrated with optical coherence tomography images of an onion before and after spectral shaping.     

利用变迹术和相干门相结合实现光学相干层析成像术轴向超分辨

光学相十层析成像（光学相干层析成像术）的轴向分辨力由光源带宽和探测光束的聚焦条件共同决定。提高光学相干层析成像术轴向分辨力的方法主要基于带宽光源技术。提出了一种将变迹术与光学相十层析成像术相干门有机结合的方法来提高其轴向分辨力。通过适当形式的光瞳滤波器．使光学相干层析成像术系统轴向响应的主瓣宽度缩小到相干门之内,而其旁瓣则处于相干门之外．不对相干成像产生有效贡献。这样．就能在光源带宽不变的条件下,有效提高光学相十层析成像术的轴向分辨力,避免了采用宽带光源所带来的费用昂贵和系统复杂等缺陷。     

Optical Coherence Tomography Implemented by Photonic Crystal Fiber

We report a photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, in which conventional single-mode fiber for the transmission line and the fiber coupler for the beam splitter/combiner are replaced with PCF and PCF coupler. The PCF coupler fabricated using the fused biconical tapered (FBT) method showed a nearly flat coupling ratio over a broad spectral bandwidth of 400 nm, which provided an axial resolution of 3-μm for OCT imaging. With a white-light source, the 8-μm thick air gap between two stacked cover glasses was measured, and with a conventional superluminecent diode (SLD) source, the in vitro images of rat eye and Misgurnus mizolepis skin were successfully obtained. The PCF and PCF coupler might enable a white-light as the source for the cost effective and high-resolution OCT system.     

Iterative sparse reconstruction of spectral domain OCT signal

We propose and study an iterative sparse reconstruction for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography （FD OCT） image by solving a constrained optimization problem that minimizes L-1 norm. Our method takes the spectral shape of the OCT light source into consideration in the iterative image reconstruction procedure that allows deconvolution of the axial point spread function from the blurred image during reconstruction rather than after reconstruction. By minimizing the L-1 norm, the axial resolution and the signal to noise ratio of image can both be enhanced. The effectiveness of our method is validated using numerical simulation and experiment.     

Ultra-high resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography using supercontinuum light source

An ultra-high resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was developed using a cost-effective supercontinuum laser. A spectral filter consists of a dispersive prism, a cylindrical lens and a right-angle prism was built to transmit the wavelengths in range 680–940 nm to the OCT system. The SD-OCT has achieved 1.9 μm axial resolution and the sensitivity was estimated to be 91.5 dB. A zero-crossing fringes matching method which maps the wavelengths to the pixel indices of the spectrometer was proposed for the OCT spectral calibration. A double sided foam tape as a static sample and the tip of a middle finger as a biological sample were measured by the OCT. The adhesive and the internal structure of the foam of the tape were successfully visualized in three dimensions. Sweat ducts was clearly observed in the OCT images at very high resolution. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of ultra-high resolution visualization of sweat duct by OCT.     

Advantages of Adaptive Speckle Filtering Prior to Application of Iterative Deconvolution Methods for Optical Coherent Tomography Imaging

The axial resolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) is closely related to the light source spectrum width. Unfortunately, most basic sources providing the required power for decent OCT image have narrow spectra, which generate a resolution loss. Assuming the OCT system is linear shift-invariant, we can consider the system output as the convolution of the theoretical signal with a system impulse response due to this spectrum narrowness. It becomes then possible to enhance this resolution through iterative deconvolution methods (IDM). However those methods have a significant drawback, as they usually significantly enhance speckle, which is another consequence of the source spectrum narrowness. To compensate this, we rely on preliminary speckle filtering, and especially the adaptative ones, which allow tackling the speckle without blurring the image. We first studied enhancement proposed by most popular IDMs on OCT images, and then the effect of preliminary adaptive speckle filtering (ASF) by different common adaptive methods. Then, among those methods, we combined Frost filter and Richardson-Lucy deconvolution in the appropriated way; this way we both enhanced resolution by 2 and reduced speckle (raising CNR from 0.7 to 1.3)     

PDL-Compensated Mechanically Induced Long-Period Grating for EDFA Gain Flattening

We present and demonstrate a polarization-insensitive mechanically induced long-period fiber grating (MLPG) for EDFA gain flattening. By forming a 90° fiber rotator in the middle of the MLPG the PDL of the MLPG was substantially reduced. The PDL-compensated MLPG was able to flatten the ASE spectrum of an EDFA successfully without deterioration of the polarization characteristics.     

基于子谱分析的白光频域OCT

为了提高频域OCT系统轴向分辨率和信噪比,提出了一种采用白光光源的频域OCT系统,研究了所用的CCD相机的横向像素数、白光光源的光谱与系统轴向分辨率之间的关系,建立了一种基于子谱分析的白光频域OCT系统。通过选择所需的白光光源及其接收频段,既能保证最大探测深度和高轴向分辨率,又能提高信噪比。实验结果验证了所提出的光源的相干长度和系统及图像轴向分辨率测量方法,证明了白光频域OCT的可行性。     

谱域光学相干层析系统中基于解卷积方法的像质优化

谱域光学相干层析（spectral domain optical coherence tomography, 简记为SD-OCT）系统的轴向点扩散函数（point spread function, 简记为PSF）并不具备空不变特性,无法直接应用于解卷积运算.为实现SD-OCT系统成像质量基于解卷积算法的优化,本文采用数值校正后的轴向扫描信号和轴向有效PSF来实施基于Lucy-Richardson算法的解卷积运算,进而实现了SD-OCT系统中图像质量尤其是轴向分辨率的改善.本文理论分析了SD-OCT系统中导致轴向有效PSF随成像深度增大而下降和图像模糊的因素,阐述了利用解卷积算法实现图像质量优化的过程,基于建立的SD-OCT系统实施了不同成像深度位置处PSF的标定,并利用离散轴向位置处PSF的峰值拟合了轴向有效PSF的调制函数.利用调制函数对所有轴向扫描信号进行数值校正,然后根据轴向有效PSF进行解卷积算法.典型样品的解卷积图像重建结果表明,提出的解卷积方法能有效提高系统的轴向分辨率,同时有效抑制系统灵敏度随成像深度增大而下降的趋势. 关键词： 谱域光学相干层析 Lucy-Richardson解卷积 有效点扩散函数     

谱域光学相干层析系统中基于解卷积方法的像质优化

谱域光学相干层析（spectral domain optical coherence tomography, 简记为SD-OCT）系统的轴向点扩散函数（point spread function, 简记为PSF）并不具备空不变特性,无法直接应用于解卷积运算.为实现SD-OCT系统成像质量基于解卷积算法的优化,本文采用数值校正后的轴向扫描信号和轴向有效PSF来实施基于Lucy-Richardson算法的解卷积运算,进而实现了SD-OCT系统中图像质量尤其是轴向分辨率的改善.本文理论分析了SD-OCT系统中导致轴向有效PSF随成像深度增大而下降和图像模糊的因素,阐述了利用解卷积算法实现图像质量优化的过程,基于建立的SD-OCT系统实施了不同成像深度位置处PSF的标定,并利用离散轴向位置处PSF的峰值拟合了轴向有效PSF的调制函数.利用调制函数对所有轴向扫描信号进行数值校正,然后根据轴向有效PSF进行解卷积算法.典型样品的解卷积图像重建结果表明,提出的解卷积方法能有效提高系统的轴向分辨率,同时有效抑制系统灵敏度随成像深度增大而下降的趋势.     

内窥式共聚焦成像系统分析

基于点扩展函数和傅立叶光学理论,推导出系统的相干传递函数,并详细研究了光纤对轴向分辨率的影响.研究结果表明：该系统为相干成像系统,系统的轴向分辨率随光纤半径A的增加而降低.最后,搭建了一套内窥式共聚焦成像系统,并测得光栅样品的共聚焦图像.实验结果表明,该系统具有良好的分辨率.     

A new spectral calibration method for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

Spectral calibration is important for a Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) system. A new spectral calibration method for FD-OCT is presented. Through the iterated mapping of spectral interferograms detected by an optical spectrum analyzer and the CCD grating spectrometer, multiple groups of calibration coefficients are obtained. By comparing the effects of these coefficients on improving the amplitude of the axial point spread function (PSF), optimum coefficients are obtained. In this method, no additional calibration laser source is needed, reducing the complexity of the system. The cross-sectional images of a glass plate in milk are acquired, and the experimental results indicate that the axial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are effectively improved with the proposed spectral calibration method.     

PDL-Compensated Mechanically Induced Long-Period Grating for EDFA Gain Flattening

We present and demonstrate a polarization-insensitive mechanically induced long-period fiber grating (MLPG) for EDFA gain flattening. By forming a 90° fiber rotator in the middle of the MLPG the PDL of the MLPG was substantially reduced. The PDL-compensated MLPG was able to flatten the ASE spectrum of an EDFA successfully without deterioration of the polarization characteristics.     

一种新型的专用于光学相干层析系统的宽带光纤光源

报道了一种新型的专用于光学相干层析系统的输出光谱为准高斯型的宽带超荧光光纤光源.该光源采用掺饵光纤作为增益介质.其关键技术是在抽运源的输出端增加了光耦合器，并在光源输出端插入多级长周期光纤光栅对铒离子的自发光谱进行调制和整形；同时采用光控器和温控器来控制抽运源的输出以提高光源输出功率的稳定性.该光源的中心波长为1.57μm，输出光谱的3dB带宽大于75nm，输出功率为27mW.实验结果表明，该光源输出光谱的自相关函数的旁瓣峰被大大削弱，可以满足光学相干层析系统的应用. 关键词： 光学相干层析术 超荧光光纤光源 长周期光纤光栅 光耦合器     

用于频域光学相干层析成像的深度分辨色散补偿方法

提出一种深度分辨的色散补偿方法,用于增强频域光学相干层析成像的纵向分辨率。将频域光学相干层析成像采集的干涉谱信号傅里叶变换到空域,获取对应不同深度的干涉谱条纹相位,通过对其进行调整实现对被测样品不同深度处的色散的精确补偿。避免传统方法中采用统一色散系数进行色散补偿所带来的过补偿与欠补偿误差,可以有效消除色散引起的频域光学相干层析成像系统点扩展函数的展宽和扭曲。模拟和实验结果表明,基于深度分辨的色散补偿方法在样品的全深度探测范围内可以达到较佳的补偿效果,可有效提高光学相干层析成像系统的纵向分辨率。     

Strained Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings Based all-fiber Variable Optical Delay Line for Optical Coherence Tomography

We present the novel all-fiber optical delay line that can be realized by exploiting the fundamental distributive reflection characteristics of a chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBG). With the assist of a strained CFBG and a designed fiber stretcher, the proposed delay line could perform the function (such as attainment of variable large enough optical delay without dispersion mismatch) of the conventional optical delay line within the optical fiber. While the strained CFBG produced 3.1 mm optical delay, the pair of CFBGs in the opposite direction can manage dispersion imbalance of the delay line. The use of the PZT-based fiber stretcher can enable depth scanning at a high repetition rate for real-time imaging. The performance of the delay element is demonstrated with measured experimental results. OCT system embedded with the all-fiber variable optical delay line showed the axial resolution of 100 μm and the dynamic range of 50 dB. The implemented system was used for the imaging of a biomedical sample, which proves the utility of the proposed delay element as a promising alternative of optical delay line.     

Improving the resolution of three-dimensional acoustic imaging with planar phased arrays

This paper examines and compares two methods of improving the quality of three-dimensional beamforming with phased microphone arrays. The intended application is the detection of aerodynamic noise sources on wind turbines. Both methods employ Fourier based deconvolution. The first method involves a transformation of coordinates that tends to make the response to a point source, the point spread function, more shift invariant. The result is a significant improvement in sound source imaging in the transformed coordinate system. However, the inverse transformation to Cartesian coordinates introduces range dependent resolution limitations because of the irregular distribution of the focal points. The second method combines the transformation of coordinates with an alternative scanning technique. This method can be used in near field three-dimensional acoustic imaging to produce maps free of sidelobes and with constant resolution. The robustness of the proposed methods is validated both with computer simulations and experimentally.     

High resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography using a thermal light source

A high resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system based on a thermal light source was presented. A novel normalized method was introduced to remove the background noise and the DC noise of the interference spectrum. A Gaussian spectral calibration procedure was performed to improve axial resolution and image quality before reconstructing OCT image. With the proposed method, the quality of the obtained images was greatly improved. Two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional images with axial resolution of 1.2?μm were obtained. Furthermore, the film thickness of single-layer film sample was obtained. The experimental result demonstrates the SD-OCT system has potential for film thickness measurement and surface topography.     

集成光学声光可调谐光谱仪的特性分析

提出了一种以集成光学声光可调谐滤波器作为分光元件的新型光谱仪 ,并详细介绍了这种光谱仪的具体特性。通过对这种光谱仪的特征方程、点扩展函数以及色散本领的详细分析 ,指出该光谱仪的分辨本领与器件的声光作用长度成正比 ,也与它的级联级数的平方根成正比。因此增加器件的声光作用长度比增加它的级联级数能更有效地提高光谱分辨率。另外还指出 ,准共线声光耦合是抑制侧瓣、提高分辨本领的有效途径。测试表明 ,当声光相互作用长度L =2 5mm ,声波导和光波导的夹角θ=0 .4 2°时 ,在中心频率 174MHz附近可获得带宽 1.4 4nm ,一级侧瓣 - 13.2dB ,模式转换效率大于 99%的结果。     

Resolution Improvement in Optical Coherence Tomography with Segmented Spectrum Management

We demonstrate resolution improvement in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with multiple scans of segmented spectral bands and software signal processing. With an effective spectral full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 45 nm, centered at 950 nm, we compress the interference fringe FWHM from 31 μm down to 7 μm, which is smaller than the theoretical limit of 8.9 μm if a Gaussian spectral shape is assumed, through the combined effect of dispersion compensation and spectral shaping. With the amplitude adjustments of the OCT images of the segmented spectral bands, side-lobes can be significantly suppressed with a slight increase of the fringe envelope FWHM. With other amplitude adjustments, the envelope FWHM can be reduced to 5.6 μm at the expense of significant side-lobes.