E-band fourier domain mode locked laser and its application in optical coherence tomography

Abstract

The Fourier domain mode locked (FDML) laser finds applications in fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation and optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems [1]. The center wavelength of FDML laser is important in many applications. The C-band (1530–1565 nm) FDML laser is often used in FGB interrogation systems because of the availability of components at low cost. Swept sources with central wavelengths at 1300, 1060, or 800 nm are also used in OCT systems owing to the low water absorption loss at these wavelengths. FDML lasers at the E-band however have not yet been demonstrated. The E-band refers to the optical band between 1360 and 1460 nm. The E-band offers a superior near-infrared biological imaging window because it has a lower scattering coefficient [2]. Optical fiber loss at the E-band is also low.