3x3 MZI with unbalanced differential detection for full range swept-source optical coherence tomography

Youxin Mao; Costel Flueraru; Sherif Sherif; Shoude Chang

doi:10.1117/12.807440

12 August 2008 3×3 MZI with unbalanced differential detection for full range swept-source optical coherence tomography

Youxin Mao, Costel Flueraru, Sherif Sherif, Shoude Chang

Proceedings Volume 7099, Photonics North 2008; 709909 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.807440
Event: Photonics North 2008, 2008, Montréal, Canada

Abstract

Quadrature interferometry based on 3×3 fiber couplers could be used to double the effective imaging depth in Swept- Source Optical Coherence Tomography. This is due to its ability to suppress the complex conjugate artifact naturally. We present theoretical and experimental results for a 3×3 Mach-Zehnder interferometer using a new unbalanced differential optical detection method. The new interferometer provides simultaneous access to complementary phase components of the complex interferometric signal. No calculations by trigonometric relationships are needed. We demonstrate a complex conjugate artifact suppression of 27 dB obtained in a swept-source optical coherence tomography using our unbalanced differential detection. We show that our unbalanced differential detection has increased the signal to- noise ratio by at least 4 dB compared to the commonly used balanced detection technique. This is due to better utilization of optical power.

Citation Download Citation

Youxin Mao, Costel Flueraru, Sherif Sherif, and Shoude Chang "3×3 MZI with unbalanced differential detection for full range swept-source optical coherence tomography", Proc. SPIE 7099, Photonics North 2008, 709909 (12 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.807440

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