Abstract: In part, the invention relates to methods, devices, and systems suitable for controlling a light source. The light source is configured for use in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system. The light source can be controlled with a drive waveform. Linearizing and symmetrizing parameters of the light source such as forward and backward scan durations is achieved using a suitable drive waveform. Phase, amplitude, and other parameters for different harmonics of a fundamental wave can be identified that improve operating parameters such as the duty cycle and peak frequency matching between scans. The fundamental wave and one or more of such harmonics can be combined to generate the suitable drive wave form. The light source can include a tunable light source that includes or is in optical communication with a tunable filter.

Abstract: A detector circuit for a multi-channel interferometer, typically as may be used in an optical coherence tomography device, comprising: a plurality of measurement channels (43) each comprising a measurement detector (31); and a balance channel (44) comprising a balance detector (30), each of the measurement detectors (31) and the balance detector (30) having a light sensitive area and an electrical output configured to output a signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensitive area, in which each measurement channel (43) is provided with a feedback circuit (40) comprising: a variable gain circuit (35) having an input for the signal from the measurement detector (31) and an output, the variable gain circuit (35) being configured to output at its output the signal received at its input with a variable level of gain; a difference circuit (38) having a first input for the output of the variable gain circuit (35), a second input for the signal from the balance detector (30) and an output,

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging device and the like which suppress influence in the case of a measuring beam being truncated by an iris, and can ensure reliability of a tomographic image which is acquired, when imaging the tomographic image of a retina in an eyeground of an examined eye. An optical tomographic imaging device is configured to have an observation unit observing a state of irradiating an examined object with the measuring beam, and imaging a state of the measuring beam being incident on the examined object as an observation image, a recording unit recording the observation image by linking the observation image with a tomographic image by the optical tomographic imaging device, and an evaluating unit evaluating reliability of the tomographic image which is linked with the observation image based on the observation image imaged in the observation unit.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes a control unit configured to, in a case where an instruction to narrow an imaging range of a tomographic image is issued, control a measurement light optical path length changing unit to reduce an optical path length of measurement light and make a changing speed of the optical path length of the measurement light lower than in a case where an instruction to widen the imaging range is issued.

Abstract: Provided is a compact, low-cost optical measuring apparatus capable of acquiring an image of a target to be measured without moving a mirror or using a wavelength-scanning light source or beam splitter. A laser beam emitted from a light source is split into first and second beams, and the first beam is focused as a signal beam onto the target by a lens for irradiation purposes, while the second beam is reflected as a reference beam by a mirror without irradiating the target. Then, a signal beam reflected by or scattered by the target is multiplexed with the reference beam and then enters interference optics, whereby three or more interference beams with different phases are generated and detected by photodetectors. Then, the detection signals are operated by a signal processing unit. During the measurement, the focus position of the first beam is moved at least in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A luminous flux including laser light of different wavelengths outgoing from a light source unit is split into two luminous fluxes, the first luminous flux is focused on a sample with an objective lens, and the second luminous flux functions as reference light without radiating it onto the sample. Signal light reflected from the sample and the reference light are multiplexed by a polarized beam splitter and are made to interfere on four photodetectors out of phase in a photodetection unit. A signal processing unit acquires the optical axis distribution of an object of examination in the sample by operating using the outputs of the plural photodetectors for input every wavelength, acquiring a detection signal and calculating the ratio of detection signals of different wavelengths every position in the sample.

Abstract: [Problem] Image artifacts caused by noises in clock signals are suppressed. [Solution] An image measuring method according to an embodiment comprises a clock generating step, a noise reducing step, a data acquisition step, a digital data generating step and an image data generating step. In the clock generating step, clock signals are generated. In the noise reducing step, the noise of the generated clock signals is reduced to a predetermined threshold or lower. In the data acquisition step, analog data indicating the inner morphology of an object is acquired. In the digital data generating step, digital data is generated by sampling the analog data based on the clock signals with reduced noise. In the image data generating step, image data of the object is generated by performing data processing including Fourier transform on the generated digital data.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry is provided, the apparatus having: a source arm with a low coherence light source; a reference arm including a reference lens, a mirror, means for adjusting the distance between the reference lens and the mirror and means for measuring the distance between the reference lens and the mirror; a test arm with a test lens; means for dividing the output of the source arm between the test arm and the reference arm; means for combining light reflected back into the reference arm and the test arm to create an interference signal; and means for detecting and analyzing the interference signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating a scannable optical delay for a beam of light and an apparatus for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography having said apparatus for generating a scannable optical delay in its reference arm (15). The light beam is directed to a pivotably driven mirror (10) from where it is reflected to a fixed mirror (12), and from there back retro reflected along the reference arm (5). Lens optics (9) are provided to ensure accurate optical alignment in several pivot positions of the pivotably driven mirror (10).

Abstract: Systems and methods for photoacoustic imaging are provided. Photoacoustic signals are excited from a body and the excited photoacoustic signals are detected with a low coherence interferometer system serving as a photoacoustic detector. Cross-sectional images of the body are then reconstructed by the system from the detected photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: An optical coherence analysis system uses a laser swept source that is constrained to operate in a stable mode locked condition by modulating a drive current to the semiconductor optical amplifier as function of wavelength or synchronously with the drive voltage of the laser's tunable element based on stability map for the laser.

Abstract: A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes an attenuator that attenuates the reference beam reflected from the reference beam reflector to thereby make an intensity thereof closer to an intensity of the measurement beam reflected from the temperature measurement object.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for manually calibrating imaging systems such as optical coherence tomography systems. In certain aspects, an imaging system displays an image showing a target and a reference item. A user looks at the image and indicates a point within the image near the reference item. A processer detects an actual location of the reference item within an area around the indicated point. The processer can use an expected location of the reference item with the detected actual location to calculate a calibration value and provide a calibrated image. In this way, a user can identify the actual location of the reference point and a processing algorithm can give precision to the actual location.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system that includes both polarization maintaining and single mode optical fiber and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) in which the MEMS mirror is a 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: This invention provides a swing-style and high signal-to-noise ratio low coherence interference demodulation devices and the corresponding demodulation method for the measurement of displacement. In the displacement sensing method, the optical path difference, which is built by the light reflections from the reference surface and the test object, varies with the displacement of the test object. When the reflected signal lights is sent to a low coherence polarization interference system, the birefringent wedge formulates a spatial distribution of optical path difference, from which the optical path difference of the reflection signals thus can be demodulated. In the displacement scanning method, the reflected signal lights are collimated and transferred to a time scanner consisting of a rotating mirror and a f-? lens, to perform thin light beam scanning along the longitudinal direction of a birefringent wedge.

Abstract: Exemplary method, apparatus and arrangement can be provided for obtaining information associated with a sample such as a portion of an anatomical structure. The information can be generated using first data, which can be based on a signal obtained from a location on the sample, and second data, where the second data can be obtained by combining a second signal received from the sample with a third reference signal. An image of a portion of the sample can also be generated based on the information. For example, the first data can be associated with spectral encoding microscopy data, and the second data can be associated with optical coherence tomography data.

Abstract: An optical tomography device 1 is provided as one capable of obtaining tomographic information of a measuring object with higher accuracy. In the optical tomography device 1, numerical apertures of reception fibers 12, 13 are different from each other. Therefore, the device has a configuration wherein the reception fibers 12, 13 receive two kinds of respective light beams with different solid angle distributions, whereby the device can also obtain angular information, in addition to intensity information of light emerging from a measuring object 100. As a result, the accuracy is enhanced for an analysis about the tomographic information of the measuring object.

Abstract: An optical coherence analysis system comprising: a first swept source that generates a first optical signal that is tuned over a first spectral scan band, a second swept source that generates a second optical signal that is tuned over a second spectral scan band, a combiner for combining the first optical signal and the second optical signal to form a combined optical signal, an interferometer for dividing the combined optical signal between a reference arm leading to a reference reflector and a sample arm leading to a sample, and a detector system for detecting an interference signal generated from the combined optical signal from the reference arm and from the sample arm.

Abstract: A luminescent device including an upper electrode layer, a lower electrode layer and an active layer provided between these electrode layers, the device having such a structure that at least one electrode layer of the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer is provided in an in-plane direction of the active layer being divided into plural electrodes, current is injected into plural different regions of the active layer by the plural electrodes to cause emission in plural luminescent regions, and light emitted from one luminescent region of the plural luminescent regions enters in another luminescent region and exits. The device further includes a light receiving portion for detecting light that is emitted from one luminescent region of the plural luminescent regions and does not go through another luminescent region.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a light source, a light coupling module, and an optical path difference generating module. The light source emits a coherent light. The light coupling module divides the coherent light into a first incident light and a second incident light. The first incident light is emitted to an item to be inspected and a first reflected light is generated. The second incident light is emitted to the optical path difference generating module, a second reflected light is generated according to the second incident light by the optical path difference generating module through changing the transparent/reflection properties of at least one optical devices of the optical path difference generating module, so that there is a optical path difference between the first reflected light and the second reflected light.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography imaging system includes a Fourier domain optical coherence tomography sensor system, a signal processing system configured to communicate with the Fourier domain optical coherence tomography sensor system to receive detection signals therefrom and to provide imaging signals, and an image display system configured to communicate with the signal processing system to receive the imaging signals. The signal processing system includes a parallel processor configured to calculate structure information and Doppler information from the detection signals in real time such that the imaging signals provide a real time display of combined structure and flow of an object under observation.

Abstract: A space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography apparatus and system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a light source, a reference arm, and a sample arm. The sample arm splits the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams which may be scanned simultaneously onto a surface of a sample. An optical delay may be introduced into the sampling beams before scanning. A plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample is collected. In one arrangement, the signals may be combined to produce a single reflected light signal. The reflected light signal(s) and a reference signal are combined to produce an interference signal comprising data representative of digitized images captured of the actual object. In one embodiment, a single sample arm may be used for scanning and collecting image data. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A probe for an optical coherence tomography system according to an embodiment of the current invention includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therein, an optical fiber disposed at least partially within the lumen of said sheath, and a sapphire lens attached to the distal end of the sheath to form a fluid-tight seal to prevent fluid from entering the lumen of said sheath. The optical fiber has an end arranged in an optical path with the sapphire lens to provide optical coupling between the sapphire lens and the optical fiber.

Abstract: An axial motion distortion-corrected optical coherence tomography system. The system can include an optical coherence tomography sensor, a light source, a fiber-optic system arranged to provide a reference beam and an observation beam, an optical detection system arranged to receive combined light from the reference beam and the observation beam and to provide detection signals, and a data processing system arranged to receive said detection signals, construct a plurality of A-scans from said detection signals, and construct one or more images from said plurality of A-scans. The data processing system can be configured to correct distortion in the images caused by net axial motion of at least one of said optical coherence tomography sensor or a target of said optical coherence tomography sensor by calculating an estimate of the net axial motion using Doppler shift, and then shifting the A-scans according to the estimate.

Abstract: A probe for a common path optical coherence tomography system includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therein, a single mode optical fiber disposed within the lumen of the sheath such that a portion of the single mode optical fiber extends beyond the distal end of the sheath. The single mode optical fiber has an end face for transmitting and receiving light. The probe also includes a layer of hardened epoxy encasing the portion of the single mode optical fiber that extends beyond the distal end of the sheath except for the end face. The single mode optical fiber has an optical axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the single mode optical fiber. The hardened epoxy is polished at a non-orthogonal angle relative to the optical axis at the end face.

Abstract: Provided is an optical tomographic imaging apparatus that is capable of shortening a period of time of focusing at multiple focus positions when images split in a depth direction are obtained by zone focusing. The optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes: a focus position setting device for splitting a zone within a predetermined imaging depth range into multiple focus zones so as to set multiple focus positions; a reference position setting device for setting at least two reference positions in an imaging depth direction within the predetermined imaging depth range; and a focus controlling device for performing control so as to perform focusing at the multiple focus positions sequentially based on focus position information generated by the focus position setting device and a focus condition of in-focus at the at least two reference positions set in advance by the reference position setting device.

Abstract: An optical coherence analysis system comprising: a first swept source that generates a first optical signal that is tuned over a first spectral scan band, a second swept source that generates a second optical signal that is tuned over a second spectral scan band, a combiner for combining the first optical signal and the second optical signal for form a combined optical signal, an interferometer for dividing the combined optical signal between a reference arm leading to a reference reflector and a sample arm leading to a sample, and a detector system for detecting an interference signal generated from the combined optical signal from the reference arm and from the sample arm. In embodiments, the swept sources are tunable lasers that have shared laser cavities.

Abstract: A beam emitted from a light source is split into a probe beam that irradiates a measurement object and a reference beam that does not irradiate the measurement object. A signal beam obtained by the reflection of the probe beam is split into first and second split signal beams, which are mutually orthogonal polarized components. The first split signal beam and the reference beam are inputted to a first coherence optical system to cause the beams to interfere with each other to generate at least three coherence beams differing in phasic relationship. The second split signal beam and the reference beam are inputted to a second coherence optical system to cause the beams to interfere with each other to generate at least three coherence beams differing in phasic relationship. The coherence beams are then detected.

Abstract: Methods of collapsing volume data to a lower dimensional representation of the volume data are provided. The methods include collapsing volume data to a lower dimensional representation of the volume data using histogram projection. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: The optical source apparatus includes a deflector that includes a first deflector and a second deflector which deflect the light emitted from the gain medium in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, and a wavelength selection element that has a first region and a second region which select light having any wavelength in a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range out of the light illuminating the wavelength selection element through the deflector, respectively, wherein the first region is structured so that the wavelengths of light selected along the first direction are different from each other, the second region is structured so that the wavelengths of light selected along the first direction are different from each other, and the second region is positioned in the second direction with respect to the first region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical coherence tomography system having an interferometer, in particular a Michelson interferometer, having a reference arm for variable adjustment of an optical reference path length and having a measuring arm in which an object to be scanned can be disposed and/or is disposed in a sample volume, wherein a focusing system which is configured for focusing divergently incident light beams on a common point situated in the sample volume is disposed in the measuring arm between the beam splitter of the interferometer and the sample volume.

Abstract: A wear rate measurement method includes thermally coupling a focus ring having a top surface and a bottom surface with a reference piece having a bottom surface facing a susceptor and a top surface facing the focus ring; measuring a first optical path length of a low-coherence light beam that travels forward and backward within the focus ring by irradiating the low-coherence light beam to the focus ring orthogonally to the top surface and the bottom surface thereof; measuring a second optical path length of a low-coherence light beam that travels forward and backward within the reference piece by irradiating the low-coherence light beam to the reference piece orthogonally to the top surface and the bottom surface thereof; and calculating a wear rate of the focus ring based on a ratio between the first optical path length and the second optical path length.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for managing frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) image resolution. A spectrum used to acquire an image of a subject is calibrated and default dispersion correction parameters are set. Default dispersion management parameters associated with a region of the image of the subject are also set. The image of the subject is acquires after setting the default dispersion correction parameters and the default dispersion management parameters. A quality of the acquired image is compared to a quality metric for the acquired image. The dispersion correction parameters are adjusted if the quality of the acquired image does not meet or exceed the quality metric for the acquired image. The acquired image is reprocesses based on the adjusted dispersion correction parameters. The steps of comparing, adjusting and reprocessing are repeated until the acquired image meets or exceeds the quality metric for the acquired image.

Abstract: An OCT system and particularly its clock system generates a k-clock signal but also generates an optical frequency reference sweep signal that, for example, indicates the start of the sweep or an absolute frequency reference associated with the sweep at least for the purposes of sampling of the interference signal and/or processing of that interference signal into the OCT images. The clock system is also tunable to allow the control or flexibility over the relationship between the scanning of the swept optical signal and the sampling of the interference signal by the data acquisition system. Specifically, the absolute frequencies of the swept optical signal at which the k-clock signals are generated can be adjusted. Also, the absolute frequency of the swept optical signal at which sampling of the interference signal is initiated can also be changed or stabilized. Moreover, optical frequency sampling interval defined by the k-clock signal can be changed under user control or simply stabilized.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for setting the characteristics of the light to be output from a light source unit for optical coherence tomography, using a computer. This method is performed by using relation information in which a representative wavelength, a wavelength range including said representative wavelength, and the light loss amount due to absorption by a medium are related to each other. This method includes the following steps: setting each value of a first parameter and a second parameter among the representative wavelength, the wavelength range, and the light loss amount; acquiring a value of a third parameter among the representative wavelength, the wavelength range, and the light loss amount other than said first parameter and said second parameter based on the set two values and said relation information; and outputting a value of said acquired third parameter.

Abstract: An optical detector system comprises a hermetic optoelectronic package, an optical bench installed within the optoelectronic package, a balanced detector system installed on the optical bench. The balanced detector system includes at least two optical detectors that receive interference signals. An electronic amplifier system installed within the optoelectronic package amplifies an output of at least two optical detectors. Also disclosed is an integrated optical coherence tomography system. Embodiments are provided in which the amplifiers, typically transimpedance amplifiers, are closely integrated with the optical detectors that detect the interference signals from the interferometer. Further embodiments are provided in which the interferometer but also preferably its detectors are integrated together on a common optical bench. Systems that have little or no optical fiber can thus be implemented.

Abstract: A short coherence interferometer apparatus for measuring multiple axially spaced regions of a specimen, in particular the eye, which has at least one measuring beam path, through which multiple individual measuring beams are incident on the specimen, and one reference beam path, through which a reference beam runs, with which the individual measuring beams are superimposed and brought into interference. The individual measuring beams are axially offset to one another upon incidence on the specimen by an amount which is adapted to the axial spacing. The interferometer apparatus superimposes each individual measuring beam with the reference beam in an interfering manner and conducts it to a detector associated with the particular individual measuring beam. The individual measuring beams are combined into a mixture in which they have varying phasing in the superposition with the reference beam.

Abstract: According to the invention, a monitoring device (12) is created for monitoring a thinning of at least one semiconductor wafer (4) in a wet etching unit (5), wherein the monitoring device (12) comprises a light source (14), which is designed to emit coherent light of a light wave band for which the semiconductor wafer (4) is optically transparent. The monitoring device (12) further comprises a measuring head (13), which is arranged contact-free with respect to a surface of the semiconductor wafer (4) to be etched, wherein the measuring head (13) is designed to irradiate the semiconductor wafer (4) with the coherent light of the light wave band and to receive radiation (16) reflected by the semiconductor wafer (4). Moreover, the monitoring device (12) comprises a spectrometer (17) and a beam splitter, via which the coherent light of the light wave band is directed to the measuring head (13) and the reflected radiation is directed to the spectrometer (17).

Abstract: A system includes a waveguide that guides a beam of radiation, a variable delay unit, and a polarization-dependent modulating unit. The variable delay unit modulates the refractive index in a region, and the waveguide makes a plurality of passes through the region. The polarization-dependent element compensates for birefringence associated with the beam of radiation and includes a polarization splitter and a plurality of modulating elements. The polarization splitter has a first arm and a second arm that each include modulation segments. The beam of radiation is split between the first arm and the second arm and recombined after traversing the modulation segments. The recombination of the beam generates a first polarized beam of radiation and a second polarized beam of radiation. The plurality of modulating elements apply a first and second modulation to the first polarized beam of radiation and the second polarized beam of radiation respectively.

Abstract: A multiplexed OCT imaging system includes a plurality of sample arms, an imaging engine, and an optical controller. The sample arms are optically coupled to the imaging engine via the optical controller; the optical controller multiplexes optical signals from the sample arms to permit some of the sample arms to operate sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical imaging system includes an optical radiation source, a frequency clock module outputting frequency clock signals, an optical interferometer, a data acquisition (DAQ) device triggered by the frequency clock signals, and a computer to perform multi-dimensional optical imaging of the samples. The frequency clock signals are processed by software or hardware to produce a record containing frequency-time relationship of the optical radiation source to externally clock the sampling process of the DAQ device. The system may employ over-sampling and various digital signal processing methods to improve image quality. The system further includes multiple stages of routers connecting the light source with a plurality of interferometers and a DAQ system externally clocked by frequency clock signals to perform high-speed multi-channel optical imaging of samples.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: A method and a system for Uniform Frequency Sample Clocking to directly sample the OCT signal with a temporally-non-linear sampling clock derived from a k-space wavemeter on the external sample clock input port of a digitizer.

Abstract: A polarization sensitive spectral interferometer apparatus and method for analyzing a sample by optical energy reflected from the sample. The polarization sensitive spectral interferometer apparatus and method determines polarization properties of the sample by optical energy reflected from the sample.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for detecting spatially structured sample volumes by means of coherent light and digital holography. There is also disclosed a method for analyzing the depth structure of samples in accordance with optical coherence tomography.

Abstract: A light source includes a control unit that controls currents injected into at least one light emitting region and a light emission spectrum conversion region. The at least one light emitting region includes a first light emitting region and a second light emitting region different from the first light emitting region, light that is emitted from the first light emitting region and passes through the light emission spectrum conversion region is combined with the light that is emitted from the first or second light emitting region and does not pass through the light emission spectrum conversion region. The control unit controls the currents injected into the light emission spectrum conversion region and the first light emitting region so that the current density of the light emission spectrum conversion region is smaller than the current density of the first light emitting region.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to methods, devices, and systems suitable for controlling a light source. The light source is configured for use in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system. The light source can be controlled with a drive waveform. Linearizing and symmetrizing parameters of the light source such as forward and backward scan durations is achieved using a suitable drive waveform. Phase, amplitude, and other parameters for different harmonics of a fundamental wave can be identified that improve operating parameters such as the duty cycle and peak frequency matching between scans. The fundamental wave and one or more of such harmonics can be combined to generate the suitable drive wave form. The light source can include a tunable light source that includes or is in optical communication with a tunable filter.

Abstract: An optical coherence analysis system uses a laser swept source that is constrained to operate in a mode locked condition. This is accomplished by synchronously changing the laser cavity's gain and/or phase based on the round trip travel time of light in the cavity. Many high-speed wavelength swept laser sources emit pulses synchronized with the round trip time of the cavity as part of a nonlinear optical frequency red shifting process. Stable pulsation is associated with smooth tuning and low relative intensity noise. Addition of mode-locking methods to this class of lasers can control and stabilize these lasers to a low clock jitter and RIN state, and in specific cases allow long-to-short wavelength tuning in addition to the usual short-to-long (red shifting). The laser may comprise a SOA (410), a tunable Fabry-Perot-Filter (412) as one reflector and an Output coupler (405) in an optical fiber (406) to adjust the cavity length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10; 210; 310; 410; 510) for tomographic image recording. The device comprises a sample retainer (14), a light source (12), and a detector unit (16). The light source (12) is designed to produce a pencil beam (38), which has a beam direction (40) and which passes through a sample volume of the sample retainer (14) provided in order to accommodate a sample, and has an optical control element (30), which is able to move the pencil beam (38) passing through the sample retainer (14) transversely to the beam direction (40) while the beam direction (40) remains substantially unchanged. The detector unit (16) is designed to detect at least a portion of scattered radiation (64; 64?) escaping from a section of the pencil beam (38) within the sample volume or the sample retainer (14) in a non-spatially-resolved manner.