Frequency Swept Source Using Delay Controller for High Repetition Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current frequency swept source technologies face limitations in achieving high swept repetition rates required for real-time high-quality 3D measurement images, particularly in applications like bio-medical OCT and industrial inspection, due to trade-offs in price, volume, and performance, which restrict their fields of application and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A frequency swept source apparatus that includes a mode locking laser and a transmission or reflective delay controller, utilizing a demultiplexer, path delay unit, refractive index controller, and multiplexer to sequentially delay optical signals based on frequency components, allowing for adjustable optical path lengths and refractive indices to optimize signal delay and output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional frequency swept source implementations are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but swept repetition rate and imaging quality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal is divided into multiple frequency components using a demultiplexer, with each component routed through separate optical paths with different delay lengths. This segmentation allows independent control of delay for each frequency component, enabling high swept repetition rates while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable optical path lengths using movable mirrors or adjustable delay lines in each channel. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize delay settings in real-time, achieving high swept repetition rates adaptable to different imaging requirements without requiring complete system redesign.
2Measurement precision
If optical path lengths are increased to improve delay control, then frequency component separation is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a prismatic demultiplexer that separates frequency components in the spatial domain based on refraction angles. This dimensional approach allows compact arrangement of multiple optical paths with different effective lengths without proportionally increasing overall device volume, as the paths are folded and arranged in three-dimensional space efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical paths are arranged in a nested or folded configuration where delay elements and optical components are integrated within each other's spatial envelopes. This nesting allows multiple optical paths with different lengths to coexist in a compact volume, maintaining precise delay control without linearly increasing device size.
3Ease of operation
If multiple optical paths with different delay lengths are implemented, then signal delay control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs identical demultiplexer and multiplexer modules that handle multiple frequency components simultaneously across multiple channels. These universal components perform the same function (separation or combination) for all frequency components, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the presence of multiple optical paths with different delays.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple frequency components are combined back into a single optical signal through a multiplexer after experiencing different delays in parallel channels. This merging operation consolidates the complex multi-path signal processing into a unified output, simplifying downstream processing and reducing the operational complexity of managing individual paths.
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 solution enables a stable and reliable frequency swept source apparatus with improved frequency swept repetition rates, enhancing the capability for real-time high-quality 3D imaging and expanding application fields by optimizing signal delay and output.
Implementation Method 1
a demultiplexer that outputs the first to m-th sub-optical signals to first to m-th channels based on the input optical signal, respectively
Implementation Method 2
a path delay unit that adjusts lengths of optical paths of the first to m-th channels so as to be different from one another
Implementation Method 3
a refractive index controller that adjusts a refractive index of each of the first to m-th channels
Implementation Method 4
a multiplexer that combines the first to m-th sub-optical signals passing through the first to m-th channels and outputs the delay optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a frequency swept source apparatus including a mode locking laser that outputs an input optical signal having first to n-th frequency components, a transmission delay controller that generates first to m-th sub-optical signals, each of which includes at least one component of the first to n-th frequency components, and outputs a delay optical signal obtained by sequentially delaying the first to m-th sub-optical signals. The transmission delay controller includes a demultiplexer that outputs the first to m-th sub-optical signals to first to m-th channels based on the input optical signal, respectively, a path delay unit that adjusts lengths of optical paths of the first to m-th channels so as to be different from one another, a refractive index controller that adjusts a refractive index of each of the first to m-th channels, and a multiplexer that combines the first to m-th sub-optical signals.