A circuit for generating a swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging calibration clock. The circuit comprises a first photodetector configured to convert an SS-OCT optical calibration signal to an SS-OCT electrical calibration signal, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the first photodetector and configured to convert the SS-OCT electrical calibration signal to a sequence of SS-OCT calibration signal digital values, a processing unit coupled to the first ADC that, when initiated, is configured to demodulate the sequence of SS-OCT calibration signal digital values to obtain a sequence of SS-OCT wave number digital values, where each SS-OCT wave number digital value corresponds to one of the SS-OCT calibration signal digital values, and a level crossing sampler that is configured to track a wave number associated with the SS-OCT optical calibration signal and to generate an SS-OCT calibration clock pulse.

An optical-fiber measurement system includes an optical system that generates light and a spatial optical switch that is coupled to the optical system that processes the light generated by the optical system and generates light at a plurality of spatially distributed optical ports. A respective one of a plurality of optical cores at a first end of a multicore optical fiber is positioned to receive light from a respective one of the plurality of spatially distributed optical ports, where the light generated at the plurality of spatially distributed optical ports propagates through the multicore optical fiber. Distal optics is positioned adjacent to a second end of the multicore optical fiber and is positioned to collect light from a sample of interest so that the collected light from the sample of interest is coupled to the plurality of optical cores in the multicore optical fiber.

An ophthalmic apparatus that includes a light source of wavelength sweeping type; a measurement optical system; a reference optical system; a light receiving element that receives interference light; a sample clock signal generator that generates a sample clock signal from the light from the light source, the sample clock signal cyclically changing at equal frequency intervals; a signal processor that samples an interference signal based on the sample clock signal, the interference signal being outputted from the light receiving element when the light receiving element receives the interference light. The ophthalmic apparatus generates period data based on the sample clock signal, the period data indicating a relationship between a period of the sample clock signal and time; and determines a processing duration of the interference signal sampled at the signal processor based on the period data.

A wavelength tunable laser device includes a gain element that provides optical gain. A laser cavity includes at least two cavities, wherein each of the at least two cavities has a different optical cavity length. At least two optical modulators are positioned in the laser cavity, wherein the at least two optical modulators are driven with waveforms so as to tune a wavelength of the wavelength tunable laser device.

An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system electrically mixes a signature signal with an OCT signal (e.g., an interferogram) output by a photodetector of the OCT system. The signature signal may be a signal output by a photodetector that detects an optical signal from a fiber Bragg grating. The signature signal may then be time delayed before combination with the OCT signal. A series of interferograms are then aligned according to the signature signal. A rescaling signal may be similarly electrically mixed with the signature and OCT signals.

A circuit for generating a swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging calibration clock. The circuit comprises a first photodetector configured to convert an SS-OCT optical calibration signal to an SS-OCT electrical calibration signal, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the first photodetector and configured to convert the SS-OCT electrical calibration signal to a sequence of SS-OCT calibration signal digital values, a processing unit coupled to the first ADC that, when initiated, is configured to demodulate the sequence of SS-OCT calibration signal digital values to obtain a sequence of SS-OCT wave number digital values, where each SS-OCT wave number digital value corresponds to one of the SS-OCT calibration signal digital values, and a level crossing sampler that is configured to track a wave number associated with the SS-OCT optical calibration signal and to generate an SS-OCT calibration clock pulse.

A method and an apparatus are directed to characterizing a continuously moving 3D object via interferometry-based scanning. The method includes repeatedly forming several depth characterizations of the 3D object along respective scan lines of a plurality of scan lines on the surface of the 3D object. During this scanning, the 3D object is undergoing its continuous motion. The method further includes combining the determined depth characterization along the scan lines of the plurality of scan lines to form a depth map representing at least a depth of a portion associated with a location on the surface of the 3D object in the third direction on a grid of locations arranged in the first and second directions. Forming the depth characterizations includes scanning a frequency-dispersed pulsed optical signal in a first direction across the continuously moving 3D object, said 3D object moving in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The scanned optical signal forming scan lines on a surface of the 3D object in a third direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

The source light having a range of optical wavelengths is split into sample light and reference light. The sample light is delivered into a sample, such that the sample light is scattered by the sample, resulting in signal light that exits the sample. The signal light and the reference light are combined into an interference light pattern having optical modes having oscillation frequency components respectively corresponding to optical pathlengths extending through the sample. Different sets of the optical modes of the interference light pattern are respectively detected, and high-bandwidth analog signals representative of the optical modes of the interference light pattern are output. The high-bandwidth analog signals are parallel processed, and mid-bandwidth digital signals are output. The mid-bandwidth digital signals are processed over an i number of iterations, and a plurality of low-bandwidth digital signals are output on the ith iteration. The sample is analyzed based on the low-bandwidth digital signals.

Source light having a range of optical wavelengths is generated. The source light is split into sample light and reference light. The sample light is delivered into a sample, such that the sample light is scattered by the sample, resulting in signal light that exits the sample. The signal light and the reference light are combined into an interference light pattern having optical modes, each having a direct current (DC) component and at least one alternating current (AC) component. Different subsets of the optical modes of the interference light pattern are respectively detected, and analog signals representative of the optical modes of the interference light pattern are output. Pair of the analog signals are subtracted from each other, and differential analog signals are output. The sample is analyzed based on the differential analog signals.

An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system electrically mixes a signature signal with an OCT signal (e.g., an interferogram) output by a photodetector of the OCT system. The signature signal may be a signal output by a photodetector that detects an optical signal from a fiber Bragg grating. The signature signal may then be time delayed before combination with the OCT signal. A series of interferograms are then aligned according to the signature signal. A rescaling signal may be similarly electrically mixed with the signature and OCT signals.