Abstract: An efficient method of evaluating the level of contrast of an OCT dataset is presented. The method develops a metric to segregate useful and not-so-useful data in one or more OCT B-scans, in order to reduce spurious subsequent analyses of the data by downstream segmentation algorithms. It is designed to be fast and efficient and is applied to determining autofocus of an OCT instrument real-time and in identifying a real image from its complex conjugate twin.

Abstract: A product critical temperature during freeze drying is determined. The product is imaged using optical coherence tomography (“OCT”). The product is freeze dried while the temperature of the product is measured. The product critical temperature is the temperature at which a product structure event occurs during freeze drying.

Abstract: This invention realizes accurate positional offset correction between a plurality of tomograms captured by using a tomography apparatus. The invention is a tomography apparatus which corrects the positional offsets between a plurality of two-dimensional tomograms constituting a three-dimensional tomogram. This apparatus includes a tomogram analysis unit (120) which extracts feature amounts representing the tissue of a measurement target, a tomogram selection unit (140) which selects a standard two-dimensional tomogram from the plurality of two-dimensional tomograms based on the feature amounts, and a tomogram position correction unit (150) which calculates the positional offset amount between the nth two-dimensional tomogram adjacent to the standard two-dimensional tomogram and the (n?1)th two-dimensional tomogram.

Abstract: An optical image measuring device includes: an optical system that generates and detects interference light; an image forming part that forms a tomographic image based on the detection; an alignment part that performs alignment of the optical system with respect to an object; a focusing part that focuses the optical system with respect to the region of interest; a determining part that determines the suitability of the position of the optical system by the alignment part, the suitability of the focus state by the focusing part, and the suitability of the position of the tomographic image in a frame; a control part that, when it is determined that all of the positions of the optical system, position of focus state and the position in said frame are appropriate, controls the optical system and the image forming part, making it possible to obtain the tomographic image of the region of interest.

Abstract: A main controller 211 controls a fiber-end drive mechanism 140 and an attenuator 121 with reference to the received-light amount of interference light LC to cause the following operations (1) and (2) to be executed alternately: (1) moving an emission end 116 to increase the received-light amount to at least an upper limit; and (2) changing the light amount of reference light LR to decrease the received-light amount to at least a lower limit. When the received-light amount specified by an received-light-amount specifying part 212 decreases in response to the movement of the emission end 116 in (1), the main controller 211 controls the fiber-end drive mechanism 140 to return the relative position to the immediately preceding status of this change. The main controller 211 leads the received-light amount of interference light LC by a CCD image sensor 120 to a target value by controlling the attenuator 121 to change the light amount of interference light LC.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the method is designed to create a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional sample.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography imaging systems and methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, an optical coherence tomography imaging system includes a scanner configured to obtain images and to convert the images to electrical signals. The system also includes a computing device comprising an OCT module configured to receive the electrical signals, to apply an OCT imaging technique, and to generate imaging data.

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: The invention lies in the field of optical metrology and relates to optical coherence tomography (OCT). In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the depth-dependent adaptation of the dynamic range of an OCT system to the profile of the backscattered power to be measured. The dynamic range of the measuring method can therefore be decoupled from the dynamic range of the analogue/digital converter used. The invention is used, in particular, in the characterization of strongly scattering or strongly absorbing biological or technical samples.

Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a surface emitting laser including a movable mirror, a mirror arranged opposite to the movable mirror, and an active layer arranged between the two mirrors, a mirror driving unit configured to move the movable mirror to a position where laser oscillation is not performed, a laser driving unit configured to inject current into the surface emitting laser, a storage unit configured to store position information of the movable mirror, the position information including a mirror position where laser oscillation is not performed and a mirror position where laser oscillation is performed, and a control unit configured to control the laser driving unit and to determine start timing of the current injection into the surface emitting laser according to the position information output from the storage unit.

Abstract: A surface light-emitting laser comprising an upper reflector, a lower reflector, and an active layer interposed therebetween, wherein when an optical distance between the upper reflector and the lower reflector is referred to as a first distance, and an optical distance between the lower reflector and the active layer is referred to as a second distance, positions of at least selected two of a group including the upper reflector, the lower reflector, and the active layer are changed so that the ratio between the first distance and the second distance is maintained within a range of ±25% from a certain value.

Abstract: Swing-style demodulation device for measuring displacement information, including (1) a broadband light source, (2) an optical circulator, (3) GRIN lens, (4) a fixed mirror on an object under test, (5) a collimating device, (6) a rotating mirror, (7) f-? lens, (8) a polarizer, (9) a narrow strip shaped birefringent wedge, (10) a polarization analyzer, and (11) a signal acquisition system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of hybrid metal-dielectric optical coatings as the end reflectors of laser cavities and/or in the mirror structures used in other optical resonators, such as Fabry-Perot tunable filters, along with the use of such Fabry-Perot tunable filters in wavelength swept sources such as lasers. Hybrid metal-dielectric optical coatings have reflectivity spectra that can be broader than pure dielectric coatings, offer optical reflectivities higher than metal, as high as pure dielectric coatings, eliminate mirror transmission that can cause parasitic light reflections, and use fewer layers and thus have lower mass and higher mechanical resonant frequency for movable mirror applications An important characteristic of these coatings concerns the non-reflected light. Pure dielectric coatings offer high reflectivity, while the non-reflected portion of the light is transmitted by the coating to the substrate, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical coherence tomography which includes: a light source unit for outputting light; a light splitting unit for splitting the light, which is reflected from a sample, into visible light and OCT source beam; a detection unit for detecting the visible light and the OCT source beam; and a display unit for displaying a first image based on the detected visible light and a second image based on the detected OCT source beam.

Abstract: A method for irradiating a medium includes irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium.

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 OCT optical probe component comprising: A rod having a first end and a second end, a lens situated proximate to the second end of the rod, the lens having a surface with an inner zone a, and an outer zone b, wherein the inner zone a is associated with the focal length fla, and said outer zone b is associated with the focal length flb, such that optical probe component is multi-focal, the optical probe capable of imaging at multiple image planes, via the lens of an object adjacent to the first end of the rod, wherein the at least two images are separated by a distance d, wherein d>1 mm.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method that includes using an optical coherence tomography system to acquire a plurality of frames of a sample where each frame includes optical information about the composition of the sample through a section of the sample. The method further includes averaging over two or more of the frames to provide an image of the section of the sample where successive frames of the two or more frames are acquired with a time lapse of 0.05-0.7 seconds. Embodiments of the method may have unique advantages for endoscopic subcellular imaging. For example, they can enable subcellular imaging with low-NA optics (e.g., NA=0.25 or less) while providing morphological imaging of the underlying tissue up to 0.6 mm without focal tracking.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser comprises an upper reflecting mirror, a lower reflecting mirror, and an active layer located between those mirrors. A cavity of the surface emitting laser consists of the upper reflecting mirror and the lower reflecting mirror. In the surface emitting laser, a plurality of individual light receiving portions is located in an optical path inside the cavity in order to detect a laser beam.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods can be provided which can generate data associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, at least one first radiation can be forwarded to the portion through at least one optical arrangement. At least one second radiation can be received from the portion which is based on the first radiation. Based on an interaction between the optical arrangement and the first radiation and/or the second radiation, the optical arrangement can have a first transfer function. Further, it is possible to forward at least one third radiation to the portion through such optical arrangement (or through another optical arrangement), and receive at least one fourth radiation from the portion which is based on the third radiation. Based on an interaction between the optical arrangement (or the other optical arrangement) and the third radiation and/or the fourth radiation, the optical arrangement (or the other optical arrangement) can have a second transfer function.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.

Abstract: An optical imaging device which receives an optical collimated input beam, the device having a pair of axicon lenses through which a beam is directed to generate a collimated ring beam, wherein the ring beam is scattered from a substance to generate a return beam, and to bypass a reflector that redirects the return beam to prevent the return beam from interfering with the input beam; and a detector which detects an image projected by the return beam.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods can be provided which can generate data associated with at least one sample. For example, using at least one first arrangement, it is possible to forward at least one first radiation to the sample(s) so as to cause at least one second radiation to be provided from the sample(s) that can be based on the first radiation(s). In addition, using at least one second arrangement, it is possible to receive the second radiation from the sample(s), generate a plurality of distinct measurements regarding at least one portion of the sample(s) based the second radiation(s), and characterize the portion(s) over a plurality of continuous resolvable depth points thereof which are associated with the distinct measurements. Further, the characterization of the at least one portion can be resolved and distinctly characterized at a number of the depth points which is greater than a number of the distinct measurements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer 16, which generates tomographic images based on spectral interference signals detected by a light detector 15 from overlaid reference light emitted by a swept-source type light source 2 of a SS-OCT, split, and then reflected by a fixed reference mirror 8 on one hand and object light reflected by an object to be measured 6 on the other, is caused to function to apply rough correction using a first correction means and then apply detailed correction using a second correction means, to stabilize the phases of the SS-OCT. The phases can be stabilized by eliminating, without adding any expensive, complex hardware, the jitter between the wavelength scanning of a light source of SS-OCT and the timing of collecting the scan data with the light detector as spectral interference signals.

Abstract: An external cavity semiconductor laser light source comprises includes a semiconductor gain device operable to provide light amplification; a wavelength selection element including a diffraction grating; and light re-directors. The gain device, light re-directors and grating are arranged so that an optical resonator is established for light portions emitted by the gain device and diffracted by the diffraction grating. The resonator is an external cavity laser resonator. The light source is capable of varying an angle of incidence of radiation circulating in the resonator onto wavelength selection element to select a resonator radiation wavelength dependent on the angle of incidence.

Abstract: Method and apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided. For example, first data associated with a first signal received from at least one region of at least one sample can be provided based on a first modality, and second data associated with a second signal received from the at least one sample can be provided based on a second modality which is different from the first modality. Third data associated with a reference can be received. Further data can be generated based on the first, second and third data. In addition, third data associated with a second signal received from the at least one sample can be obtained. Each of the third data can be based on a further modality which is different from the first modality and the second modality, and the further data can be further determined based on the third data. Further, the first modality can be a spectral-encoded modality, and the second modality can be a non-spectral-encoding modality.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser operable to change a wavelength of emitted light includes a first reflecting mirror, a second reflecting mirror, wherein a cavity is formed between the first reflecting mirror and the second reflecting mirror along the optical axis of the surface emitting laser, an active layer formed within the cavity, a region formed within the cavity, and a movable part situated within the region, the movable part having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the region. The wavelength of emitted light is changeable by changing the position of the movable part along the direction of the optical axis in the region.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography device comprises a light generator, a dispersive medium, an optical coupler and a detector. The light generator is adapted to generate a series of input pulses of coherent light, each input pulse having an input pulse width. The dispersive medium has an input that is optically coupled to the light generator and an output for output pulses. The dispersive medium is adapted to stretch the input pulse width to an output pulse width of each of the output pulses by chromatic dispersion. The optical coupler is adapted to couple the output pulses into a reference arm and a sample arm. The optical coupler is further adapted to superimpose light returning from the reference arm and the sample arm. The detector is adapted to detect an intensity of interference of the superimposed light with a temporal resolution of a fraction of the output pulse width.

Abstract: This mode-locked laser light source device comprises a semiconductor optical amplifier wherein carriers are generated by the injection of an injection current thereinto, a pulse of laser light is amplified by the consumption of the carriers, and phase modulation equivalent to self-phase modulation depending on the pulse intensity of the laser light occurs due to a change in the density carriers; a sweep modulation unit which the oscillation wavelength of the pulse of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor optical amplifier is variable; a resonator which returns the pulse of the laser light modulated by the sweep modulation unit to the semiconductor optical amplifier to cause a laser oscillation phenomenon; and a dispersion compensator which is used in an anomalous dispersion region and changes the return time of the pulse of the laser light depending on the wavelength of the pulse of laser light guided in the resonator.

Abstract: Devices, arrangements, endoscopes, catheters and methods adapted to propagate at least one electro-magnetic radiation are provided. In particular, a waveguide apparatus specifically configured may be utilized to split the electro-magnetic radiation into a plurality of beams that are intended to illuminate a biological sample, and impart a unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. The beams may be intended to illuminate a biological sample at distinct locations, and impart a unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. In addition, a control apparatus may be provided which is configured to control at least one of the fibers and which can be input to the fibers so as to modify the unique associated characteristics of the beams being propagated along the fibers, and thereby modify the characteristics of the distinct locations on the sample.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system uses an optical source that comprises a series of gain waveguides that generate light at the frequencies at which the interference signal is to be sampled. In this way, the optical source generates a discretely tuned optical signal. This has the advantage that the tuning can be directly controlled by a controller that is also used to synchronize the sampling of the interference signal. This avoids the need for separate frequency clock synchronization. In embodiments, the gain waveguides are fabricated from one or more semiconductor edge emitting bars. In some implementations, the gain waveguides comprise periodic structures that define the frequency of operation of the waveguide. However in other implementations, the combiner comprises a dispersive element, such as a diffractive grating, that provides frequency specific feedback to each waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical integration technologies, designs, systems and methods directed toward Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other interferometric optical sensor, ranging, and imaging systems wherein such systems, methods and structures employ tunable optical sources, coherent detection and other structures on a single or multichip monolithic integration. In contrast to contemporary, prior-art OCT systems and structures that employ simple, miniature optical bench technology using small optical components positioned on a substrate, systems and methods according to the present disclosure employ one or more photonic integrated circuits (PICs), use swept-source techniques, and employ a widely tunable optical source(s). In another embodiment the system uses an optical photonic phased array.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical integration technologies, designs, systems and methods directed toward Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other interferometric optical sensor, ranging, and imaging systems wherein such systems, methods and structures employ tunable optical sources, coherent detection and other structures on a single or multichip monolithic integration. In contrast to contemporary, prior-art OCT systems and structures that employ simple, miniature optical bench technology using small optical components positioned on a substrate, systems and methods according to the present disclosure employ one or more photonic integrated circuits (PICs), use swept-source techniques, and employ a widely tunable optical source(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for modulating a beam of radiation, such that the modulated beam exhibits substantially null residual amplitude modulation (RAM). An electro-optical modulator is presented that includes a waveguide, a first region associated with the waveguide and a second region associated with the waveguide. The waveguide is designed to guide a beam of radiation. A first electric potential applied to the first region causes a first modulation to the beam of radiation while a second electric potential applied to the second region causes a second modulation to the beam of radiation. The first modulation combined with the second modulation provides substantially null residual amplitude modulation of the beam of radiation.

Abstract: Provided is an optical tomography apparatus acquiring high-quality tomographic images even if light source characteristic is different between sweeps in first and second directions, when acquiring the image by reciprocating sweep. The optical tomography apparatus includes: a wavelength swept light source device; a splitting-combining unit splitting light from the device into measurement and reference light, and combining return light from an object to be measured by the measurement light and the reference light; and an image processing unit acquiring a tomographic image of the object based on combined light. The device includes a reciprocating sweep light source device performing a first wavelength sweep from short to long wavelength and a second wavelength sweep from long to short wavelength. The processing unit acquires first and second tomographic images based on signals acquired by these wavelength sweeps for the same site, and combines the tomographic images to acquire the tomographic image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing noise in balanced detection based optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are described. Embodiments including both optical hardware and electronic based solutions to spectrally filter and attenuate the source reference light in optical coherence tomography in an effort to reduce RIN and FPN noise in OCT systems are presented. A novel application to electronic balanced detection schemes in which a single source of reference detection is balanced against the interferometric signals from multiple interferometers is also presented.

Abstract: An imaging method includes providing a handpiece having a probe tip insertable into human or animal tissue disposed at an end thereof, and, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe connected to the handpiece such that a functionality of the OCT probe is provided at the probe tip. The probe tip is disposed adjacent to or into human or animal tissue. Imaging of the tissue, measuring at least one of a feature size or a quantifiable characteristic of a structure in the tissue for biometry analysis, and/or performing a diagnostic procedure on the tissue or a device implanted in the tissue is performed with the OCT probe.

Abstract: In the optical structure observation apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, a middle layer of a measured object having a layer structure at least including a surface layer and the middle layer is extracted and flattened to be a same flat plane, the optical stereoscopic structure image is reconstructed with the flattened middle layer as the reference layer, the three-dimensional converted optical structure image is generated, and at least the three-dimensional converted optical structure image is imaged and displayed on the display device, whereby the structure information with the middle layer in the measured object having the layer structure as a basal plate can be visually determined.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for generating elevation maps or images of a tissue layer/boundary with respect to a fitted reference surface, comprising the steps of finding and segmenting a desired tissue layer/boundary; fitting a smooth reference surface to the segmented tissue layer/boundary; calculating elevations of the same or other tissue layer/boundary relative to the fitted reference surface; and generating maps of elevation relative to the fitted surface. The elevation can be displayed in various ways including three-dimensional surface renderings, topographical contour maps, contour maps, en-face color maps, and en-face grayscale maps. The elevation can also be combined and simultaneously displayed with another tissue layer/boundary dependent set of image data to provide additional information for diagnostics.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument includes a first optical component for spatial spectral splitting of a polychromatic beam of light impinging onto the first optical component, an objective, which routes various spectral regions of the split beam of light onto differing spatial regions, and a sensor, situated downstream of the objective in the beam path of the beam of light, with a plurality of light-sensitive sensor elements. The sensor elements are arranged in the beam path of the split beam of light in such a manner that each sensor element registers the intensity of a spectral sector of the beam of light and the medians of the spectral sectors are situated equidistant from one another in the k-space, where k denotes the wavenumber.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide adapters for use in posterior imaging systems. The adapters include lens set configured to adapt the posterior imaging system to operate as an anterior imaging system. Related optical coherence tomography systems and anterior imaging systems are also provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the duty cycle and/or producing interleaved pulses of alternating polarization states in swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are considered. Embodiments including improved buffering, frequency selecting filter sharing among multiple SOAs, intracavity switching, and multiple wavelength bands are described. The unique polarization properties of the source configurations have advantages in speckle reduction, polarization-sensitive measurements, polarization state dependent phase shifts, spatial shifts, and temporal shifts in OCT measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a corresponding method for optical coherence tomography having at least one interferometer for emitting light with which a specimen is irradiated, a specimen arm comprising a specimen objective by means of which light emitted by the interferometer is focused in a focus lying within the specimen, a detector for collecting light which is reflected by the specimen, and a control unit for controlling the system such that during the collection alight, which is respectively reflected at different depths of the specimen, the imaging properties of the specimen objective are changed.

Abstract: A device includes a handpiece having a probe tip disposed at an end thereof, and, connected to the handpiece such that, at the probe tip, a functionality of each is provided, a plurality of optical coherence tomography (OCT) probes.

Abstract: An adaptive optics apparatus includes a light modulation unit configured to modulate each of two polarization components of light at a position that is optically conjugate to an object, the light being emitted by a light source; and an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object with light that is modulated by the light modulation unit.

Abstract: A system includes an interference microscope having one or more optical elements arranged to image a test object to an image plane by combining test light from the test object with reference light from a reference object to form an interference pattern at the image plane, wherein the test and reference light are derived from a common broadband light source.

Abstract: A device includes a handpiece having a probe tip disposed at an end thereof, and, connected to the handpiece such that, at the probe tip, a functionality of each is provided, a plurality of probes. The probes may include an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe, an endoillumination probe, a laser therapy probe, an ultrasound imaging probe, an electrocautery probe, an RF ablation probe, a cryosurgical probe, an irrigator, and/or a mechanical probe.

Abstract: An optical imaging method in an embodiment includes: a scanning step to scan each of a plurality of A-lines of an object with a signal light while alternately changing the phase difference between the signal light and a reference light to two preset phase differences; a detection step to detect the interference light of the signal light passing through the A-line and the reference light; and an imaging step to generate a complex interference spectrum based on the detection results of the interference lights corresponding to the plurality of A-lines sequentially obtained in the detection step according to the scanning, and form, based on the complex interference spectrum, the tomographic image along the arrangement of the plurality of A-lines in which a complex conjugate artifact is substantially removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an OCT imaging system to reduce or eliminate frequency-domain aliasing artifacts. The frequency is shifted using a carrier frequency to define a sampling range substantially centered on the carrier frequency. An image of the sample is generated from a displayed imaging range that consists of a subset of the frequencies within the sampling range. Furthermore, the system may be configured to determine the carrier frequency such that a Nyquist frequency corresponding to the shifted frequency is extended beyond either an upper or a lower bound of an OCT quality envelope corresponding to the first portion of light. Additionally, the carrier frequency may be determined such that a lower bound of the OCT quality envelope is greater or less than a zero-frequency DC limit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive early diagnostic method and device that allows an early diagnosis of Marssonina blotch disease, which infects apple tree leaves, before the occurrence of lesions to enable early prevention of apple Marssonina blotch disease.