SS-OCT Phase Stabilization via Spectral Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) faces phase instability issues, which are difficult to correct without complex and costly hardware, affecting Doppler measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method to stabilize phases using only the conventional SS-OCT configuration, involving spectral interference signal processing to correct phase data through equations (2′) and (9), eliminating spectral shifts and Doppler phase shifts, without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase stabilization hardware is added to correct phase instability in SS-OCT, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical phase stabilization hardware with a computational method that processes spectral interference signals. The phase correction is achieved through signal processing algorithms that calculate and compensate for phase errors in the spectral domain, eliminating the need for additional mechanical phase stabilization components while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational processing step that mediates between the raw spectral interference signals and the final phase-stabilized output. By using the spectral interference signal as an intermediary to extract and correct phase information, the system achieves phase stabilization without requiring direct hardware intervention in the optical path.
2Measurement precision
If complex hardware is used to correct phase instability, then Doppler measurement accuracy improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive mechanical phase stabilization hardware with a cost-effective computational approach. The phase correction algorithms process the spectral interference signals to achieve accurate Doppler measurements, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy compared to hardware-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction of phase instability through computational processing of its own spectral interference signals. The phase correction is achieved by analyzing the spectral data and applying appropriate corrections, allowing the system to self-stabilize without requiring additional expensive hardware components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Measurement precision
If spectral shift correction is applied to stabilize phase, then time jitter accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary correction for spectral shifts caused by time jitter before performing Doppler phase measurements. By pre-processing the spectral interference signals to compensate for timing variations, the system establishes a stable phase reference that simplifies subsequent Doppler calculations and improves overall measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the phase correction process into distinct computational steps: first correcting spectral shifts due to time jitter, then addressing bulk motion artifacts, and finally performing Doppler phase extraction. This segmented approach breaks down the complex processing into manageable stages, making the overall system more tractable while achieving high precision.
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
Achieves phase stability and corrects time jitter and bulk motion artifacts in Doppler signals, improving Doppler shift information accuracy without requiring expensive hardware.
Implementation Method 1
swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) that scans the wavelengths of the light source to obtain spectral interference signals
Implementation Method 2
the overlaid lights are detected as spectral interference signals by a light detector
Data Source
AI summary
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.