Chip-scale optical coherence tomography engine
US11564565B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J3/4531
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical coherence tomography (OCT) engine includes a digital Fourier-Transform (dFT) spectrometer, a tunable delay line, and a high-speed optical phased array (OPA) scanner integrated onto a single chip. The broadband dFT spectrometer offers superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and fine axial resolution; the tunable delay line ensures large imaging depth by circumventing sensitivity roll-off; and the OPA can scan the beams at GHz rates without moving parts. Unlike conventional spectrometers, the dFT spectrometer employs an optical switch network to retrieve spectral information in an exponentially scaling fashion—its performance doubles with every new optical switch added to the network. Moreover, it also benefits from the Fellgett's advantage, which provide a significant SNR edge over conventional spectrometers. The tunable delay line balances the path length difference between the reference and sample arms, avoiding any need to sample high-frequency spectral fringes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.