Grating based phase control optical delay line

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6111645
SERIAL NO

09079687

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Abstract

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An apparatus for performing high speed scanning of an optical delay and its application for performing optical interferometry, ranging, and imaging, including cross sectional imaging using optical coherence tomography, is disclosed. The apparatus achieves optical delay scanning by using diffractive optical elements in conjunction with imaging optics. In one embodiment a diffraction grating disperses an optical beam into different spectral frequency or wavelength components which are collimated by a lens. A mirror is placed one focal length away from the lens and the alteration of the grating groove density, the grating input angle, the grating output angle, and/or the mirror tilt produce a change in optical group and phase delay. This apparatus permits the optical group and phase delay to be scanned by scanning the angle of the mirror. In other embodiments, this device permits optical delay scanning without the use of moving parts.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY77 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE CAMBRIDGE MA 02139

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Bouma, Brett E Boston, MA 69 9254
Fujimoto, James G Cambridge, MA 24 7634
Tearney, Guillermo Cambridge, MA 16 3415

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