Abstract: A compact possibly all free-space line-field swept source OCT system with a tunable cat's-eye laser.

Abstract: A compact possibly all free-space line-field swept source OCT system with a tunable cat's-eye laser is used to control and optimize the operation of a biological system.

Abstract: A spectroscopy system comprises a tunable laser including a gain chip, a collimating lens for collimating light from the gain chip, an end reflector, a focusing lens for focusing the collimated light on the end reflector, a thin film bandpass filter between the collimating lens and the focusing lens, and an angle control actuator for changing the angle of the thin film filter to the collimated light. The light from the laser is coupled into a sample cell providing a sample. An amplitude detector detects light from the tunable laser prior to passing into the sample cell and a sample detector detecting light from the tunable laser after passing through the sample cell. A processor controls the angle control actuator and monitors a time response of the sample detector and the amplitude detector to resolve an absorption spectra of the sample.

Abstract: A line field optical coherence tomography (OCT) system and an absorption spectrometer system employing a tunable or swept laser architecture. The laser is a cat's-eye configuration with a preferably transmissive tilt tuned interference thin film filter.

Abstract: A tunable or swept laser architecture that is appropriate for swept source optical coherence tomography and other applications including spectroscopy employing a cat's-eye configuration with a preferably transmissive tilt tuned interference thin film filter.

Abstract: An optically pumped tunable VCSEL swept source module has a VCSEL and a pump, which produces light to pump the VSCEL, wherein the pump is geometrically isolated from the VCSEL. In different embodiments, the pump is geometrically isolated by defocusing light from the pump in front of the VCSEL, behind the VCSEL, and/or by coupling the light from the pump at an angle with respect to the VCSEL. In the last case, angle is usually less than 88 degrees. There are further strategies for attacking pump noise problems. Pump feedback can be reduced through (1) Faraday isolation and (2) geometric isolation. Single frequency pump lasers (Distributed feedback lasers (DFB), distributed Bragg reflector lasers (DBR), Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers, discrete mode lasers, volume Bragg grating (VBG) stabilized lasers can eliminate wavelength jitter and amplitude noise that accompanies mode hopping.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a bioreactor is configured for in-situ analysis, e.g., by NIR, without the need for withdrawing a sample into a sample cell or into an ex-situ arrangement. The device can be inserted into a port of the bioreactor and provides a sample detection region defined by an optical element such as a lens and a photodetector. The electrical signal obtained from a photodetector that is part of the device can be directed to an analyzer via a detachable electrical connection.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a bioreactor is configured for in-situ analysis, e.g., by NIR, without the need for withdrawing a sample into a sample cell or into an ex-situ arrangement. The device can be inserted into a port of the bioreactor and provides a sample detection region defined by an optical element such as a lens and a photodetector. The electrical signal obtained from a photodetector that is part of the device can be directed to an analyzer via a detachable electrical connection.

Abstract: Quantum well designs for tunable VCSELs are disclosed that are tolerant of the wavelength shift. Specifically, the active region has even number of substantially uniformly spaced (¼ of the center wavelength in the semiconducting material) quantum wells.

Abstract: An optically pumped tunable VCSEL swept source module has a VCSEL and a pump, which produces light to pump the VSCEL, wherein the pump is geometrically isolated from the VCSEL. In different embodiments, the pump is geometrically isolated by defocusing light from the pump in front of the VCSEL, behind the VCSEL, and/or by coupling the light from the pump at an angle with respect to the VCSEL. In the last case, angle is usually less than 88 degrees. There are further strategies for attacking pump noise problems. Pump feedback can be reduced through (1) Faraday isolation and (2) geometric isolation. Single frequency pump lasers (Distributed feedback lasers (DFB), distributed Bragg reflector lasers (DBR), Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers, discrete mode lasers, volume Bragg grating (VBG) stabilized lasers can eliminate wavelength jitter and amplitude noise that accompanies mode hopping.

Abstract: A method for studying cell viability and protein aggregation involves establishing a Fabry Perot etalon signal within an optical spectroscopic feature, e.g., in the near infrared region. Protein aggregation and cell viability can be reflected by changes observed in the magnitude of the Fourier Transform peaks observed in the frequency or space domain associated with the contrast of the etalon. In short, the presence of viable cells and protein aggregates can degrade the etalon contrast of an etalon window. In some cases, the concentration of cells and monomeric protein can be measured as well.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a bioreactor is configured for in-situ analysis, e.g., by NIR, without the need for withdrawing a sample into a sample cell or into an ex-situ arrangement. The device can be inserted into a port of the bioreactor and provides a sample detection region defined by an optical element such as a lens and a photodetector. The electrical signal obtained from a photodetector that is part of the device can be directed to an analyzer via a detachable electrical connection.

Abstract: An optically pumped tunable VCSEL swept source module has a VCSEL and a pump, which produces light to pump the VSCEL, wherein the pump is geometrically isolated from the VCSEL. In different embodiments, the pump is geometrically isolated by defocusing light from the pump in front of the VCSEL, behind the VCSEL, and/or by coupling the light from the pump at an angle with respect to the VCSEL. In the last case, angle is usually less than 88 degrees. There are further strategies for attacking pump noise problems. Pump feedback can be reduced through (1) Faraday isolation and (2) geometric isolation. Single frequency pump lasers (Distributed feedback lasers (DFB), distributed Bragg reflector lasers (DBR), Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers, discrete mode lasers, volume Bragg grating (VBG) stabilized lasers can eliminate wavelength jitter and amplitude noise that accompanies mode hopping.

Abstract: A design and method for introducing asymmetric crystal strain to control polarization in a tunable VCSEL, either optically or electrically pumped. The invention is especially relevant to wafer- or die-bonded tunable VCSELs. Then, mechanical stress is applied to the half VCSEL device by asymmetric arrangement of metal bond pads.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) in which the MEMS mirror is bonded to the active region. This allows for a separate electrostatic cavity that is outside the laser's optical resonant cavity. Moreover, the use of this cavity configuration allows the MEMS mirror to be tuned by pulling the mirror away from the active region. This reduces the risk of snap down. Moreover, since the MEMS mirror is now bonded to the active region, much wider latitude is available in the technologies that are used to fabricate the MEMS mirror. This is preferably deployed as a swept source in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) in which the MEMS mirror is bonded to the active region. This allows for a separate electrostatic cavity that is outside the laser's optical resonant cavity. Moreover, the use of this cavity configuration allows the MEMS mirror to be tuned by pulling the mirror away from the active region. This reduces the risk of snap down. Moreover, since the MEMS mirror is now bonded to the active region, much wider latitude is available in the technologies that are used to fabricate the MEMS mirror. This is preferably deployed as a swept source in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing resolution and mitigating sidelobe artifacts on point spread functions in optical coherence tomography systems by addressing (1) the swept source's power variation across the scan band, (2) errors in sampling instances, and (3) window function selection.

Abstract: Quantum well designs for tunable VCSELs are disclosed that are tolerant of the wavelength shift. Specifically, the active region has even number of substantially uniformly spaced (¼ of the center wavelength in the semiconducting material) quantum wells.

Abstract: An optically pumped tunable VCSEL swept source module has a VCSEL and a pump, which produces light to pump the VSCEL, wherein the pump is geometrically isolated from the VCSEL. In different embodiments, the pump is geometrically isolated by defocusing light from the pump in front of the VCSEL, behind the VCSEL, and/or by coupling the light from the pump at an angle with respect to the VCSEL. In the last case, angle is usually less than 88 degrees. There are further strategies for attacking pump noise problems. Pump feedback can be reduced through (1) Faraday isolation and (2) geometric isolation. Single frequency pump lasers (Distributed feedback lasers (DFB), distributed Bragg reflector lasers (DBR), Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers, discrete mode lasers, volume Bragg grating (VBG) stabilized lasers can eliminate wavelength jitter and amplitude noise that accompanies mode hopping.

Abstract: A design and method for introducing asymmetric crystal strain to control polarization in a tunable VCSEL, either optically or electrically pumped. The invention is especially relevant to wafer- or die-bonded tunable VCSELs. Then, mechanical stress is applied to the half VCSEL device by asymmetric arrangement of metal bond pads.