Integrated Balanced Optical Detector System for OCT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems face challenges in mechanical stability and electronic bandwidth, particularly due to optical fiber movement and stress, which affect signal propagation and require high-speed electronics for improved performance and resolution.
Innovation Solution
Integration of electronic signal amplifiers with optical detectors on a common optical bench within a hermetic optoelectronic package, minimizing optical fiber usage and incorporating a thermoelectric cooler for temperature stabilization, enhances mechanical stability and reduces electrical resistance and capacitance, enabling robust and compact OCT systems with polarization diversity detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If optical fiber is used to transmit signals in the interferometer, then the system can be compact, but mechanical movement and stress affect signal propagation and reduce stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes optical fiber from the interferometer path by integrating the optical detector system directly onto the optical bench. This extraction eliminates the fiber-based signal transmission that causes mechanical sensitivity, while maintaining system compactness through direct mounting of detectors and amplifiers on the bench structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical detector system with the optical bench by directly mounting detectors and amplifiers onto the bench structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate fiber coupling and mechanical isolation systems, achieving both compactness and mechanical stability through unified structural integration.
2Productivity
If high-speed electronics are used to improve OCT performance and resolution, then imaging speed increases, but electronic bandwidth requirements become more demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical detector system with high-speed electronic amplifiers directly on the optical bench, creating an integrated optoelectronic system. This merging allows the amplifier to be positioned close to the detector, minimizing signal transmission distance and reducing electrical interference, thereby enabling high-speed imaging without proportionally increasing electronic bandwidth complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If optical fiber is used in the interferometer, then the system can be compact, but shock and stress affect signal phase and polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts optical fiber from the interferometer by directly mounting optical detectors onto the optical bench. This removal eliminates the fiber-based transmission path that is sensitive to shock and stress, thereby protecting signal phase and polarization from mechanical disturbances while maintaining system compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides mechanical isolation and shock protection for the optical bench and detector system through structural design that cushions against external mechanical disturbances. This beforehand protection prevents shock and stress from affecting the optical signals before they can cause phase and polarization errors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration results in a highly stable and compact OCT system with improved electronic performance, reduced susceptibility to mechanical shock and stress, and the ability to deploy OCT in new applications, while maintaining high-speed imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric cooler installed between the bench and the hermetic optoelectronic package
Implementation Method 2
a balanced detector system installed on the optical bench, the balanced detector system including at least two optical detectors, installed on the optical bench, that receive interference signals from the interferometer
Data Source
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AI summary
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.