Polarizing Fiber OCT Interferometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional OCT interferometers using single-mode fibers suffer from unpredictable polarization changes due to movement or heating, leading to worsened signal-to-noise ratio and image quality, and existing solutions like polarization-maintaining fibers introduce image artifacts or require complex construction.
Innovation Solution
The use of a special polarizing fiber with extreme birefringence, generated by mechanical tensions in specific geometries, allows for linearly polarized light propagation, maintaining polarization stability even with movement or temperature changes, and connecting interferometer parts via a flexible fiber guide to maintain optimal signal-to-noise ratio without image artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single-mode fibers are used to connect interferometer parts, then the interferometer can be constructed with movable parts, but unpredictable polarization changes occur due to fiber bending, movement, or heating, leading to worsened signal-to-noise ratio and image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the fiber by introducing extreme birefringence through mechanical tensions and specific geometries (bowtie, tiger, elliptical structures), transforming a conventional single-mode fiber into a polarizing fiber that maintains stable polarization states despite external disturbances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fiber structure combining different geometric configurations (bowtie sections, tiger sections, elliptical sections) within a single fiber to generate and maintain extreme birefringence, achieving polarization stability through material and structural composition
2Reliability
If polarization-maintaining fiber (Panda fiber) is used to maintain polarization state, then polarization stability is improved, but time-of-flight differences arise due to light running on two different axes, resulting in image artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the fiber's optical parameters by creating extreme birefringence that strongly favors one polarization axis, effectively suppressing the orthogonal axis and eliminating the dual-axis propagation problem that causes time-of-flight differences and image artifacts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces localized geometric structures (bowtie, tiger, elliptical sections) at specific positions within the fiber to generate extreme birefringence only where needed, creating a polarizing effect without requiring the entire fiber to have uniform dual-axis characteristics
3Reliability
If active polarization readjustment is implemented to counter polarization changes, then polarization stability is improved, but additional hardware and software are required, increasing device complexity and causing dead time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fiber itself serve the polarization maintenance function through its inherent extreme birefringence properties, eliminating the need for external active readjustment systems. The fiber automatically maintains polarization stability through its structural design without requiring external control hardware or software
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the polarization maintenance function from the external control system and embeds it directly into the fiber structure itself, removing the need for separate active polarization control components and their associated complexity
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 the construction of compact, movable OCT interferometer parts with stable polarization, maintaining an optimal signal-to-noise ratio and image quality, even under varying conditions, by ensuring only linearly polarized light is propagated through the fiber, thus preventing polarization-related signal degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The light-conducting fiber (8) is designed as a special polarizing fiber, which favors the propagation of a first light wave having a set first polarization state or polarization mode and obstructs the propagation of second light waves having different polarization states or polarization modes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an interferometer for carrying out an optical coherence tomography. The interferometer has at least one first part (13) and a second part (14) which are arranged or can be arranged in a spatially separated manner, wherein the two parts (13, 14) are optically connected together by at least one optical fiber (8). The aim of the invention is to provide an interferometer comprising parts which are optically connected by at least one fiber and which can be moved relative to each other, said parts and fiber being as insusceptible as possible to polarization changes induced by movement and temperature changes. The invention is characterized in that the optical fiber (8) is designed as a polarizing fiber which prefers the propagation of a first light wave with a set first polarization state or polarization mode and impedes the propagation of second light waves with different polarization states or polarization modes than those of the first light wave.