Abstract
We demonstrate a subharmonically Fourier domain mode-locked wavelength-swept laser source with a substantially reduced cavity fiber length. In contrast to a standard Fourier domain mode-locked configuration, light is recirculated repetitively in the delay line with the optical bandpass filter used as switch. The laser has a fundamental optical round trip frequency of and can be operated at integer fractions thereof (subharmonics). Sweep ranges up to full width centred at are achieved at the subharmonic. A maximum sensitivity of and an axial resolution of in air are measured at an average sweep power of . A sensitivity roll-off of over and over is observed and optical coherence tomography imaging is demonstrated. Besides the advantage of a reduced fiber length, subharmonic Fourier domain mode locking (shFDML) enables simple scaling of the sweep speed by extracting light from the delay part of the resonator. A sweep rate of is achieved. Characteristic features of shFDML operation, such as power leakage during fly-back and cw breakthrough, are investigated.
© 2009 Optical Society of America
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