Generation of stochastic electromagnetic beams based on modified degenerate cavity lasers.

This study introduces a technique for generating stochastic electromagnetic (SEM) beams using a modified degenerate cavity laser in which one mirror is substituted with a spatial light modulator (SLM). We propose two methods to manipulate the spatial coherence of SEM beams: the first involves adjusting the size of a spatial filter within the laser cavity, which alters the number of oscillating transverse modes and thus varies the spatial coherence. The second method employs phase modulation by applying a dynamic random phase to the SLM.

Linear-wavenumber swept source based on an acousto-optic device for optical coherence tomography.

Linear-wavenumber swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) enables real-time, high-quality OCT imaging by eliminating the need for data resampling, as required in conventional SS-OCT. In this study, we introduced a high-performance linear-wavenumber swept source (k-SS) with a broad scanning range and high output power. The linear k-SS is an acousto-optic-modulator-based external-cavity laser diode analogous to the Littrow configuration.

External-cavity laser diode using acousto-optic deflector as tunable grating.

In this study, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, external-cavity laser diode (ECLD) without a diffraction grating is proposed and demonstrated. In the proposed configuration, an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) acts not only as a deflector but also as a diffraction grating. Thus, the AOD functions as a wavelength-selective device, which helps improve the overall performance of the ECLD.

Measurement of phase refractive index directly from phase distributions detected with a spectrally resolved interferometer.

A phase refractive index is measured directly from an unwrapped spectral phase distribution whose 2 ambiguity is determined by fitting the spectral phase distribution with functions based on Cauchy's equation. The phase refractive index of a quartz glass with 20 µm thickness is measured exactly from three spectral phase distributions detected in two different configurations of a spectrally resolved interferometer. Since there is a high possibility that the 2 ambiguity cannot be correctly determined when there is a large difference between a function of the real refractive index and Cauchy's equation, characteristics of the fitting are examined.

Signal correction by detection of scanning position in a white-light interferometer for exact surface profile measurement.

In order to perform an exact surface profile measurement with a white-light scanning interferometer (WLSI), an actual optical path difference (OPD) changing with time is detected with an additional interferometer in which the light source of the WLSI and an optical band-pass filter are used. This interferometer is simply equipped in the WLSI and does not negatively influence the WLSI. The real OPD is easily calculated from an interference signal with the same signal processing as that in the WLSI.

Tight focusing properties of a circular partially coherent Gaussian beam.

Tight focusing properties of a circular partially coherent Gaussian (CPCG) beam with linear polarization have been studied based on vectorial Debye theory. Expressions for the intensity distribution and degree of coherence near the focus are derived. Numerical calculations are performed to show the intensity distribution and degree of coherence of the CPCG beam in the focal region.

Topological charge measurement of vortex beams by phase-shifting digital hologram technology.

We propose a direct measurement method that is applicable to both integral and fractional vortex beams. In this approach, the phase distribution of the vortex beam is visualized via the phase-shifting digital holography technique. The least square method is initiatively employed to improve the measurement precision.

Passively Driven Probe Based on Miniaturized Propeller for Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography.

Optical coherent tomography (OCT) has enabled clinical applications ranging from ophthalmology to cardiology that revolutionized in vivo medical diagnostics in the last few decades, and a variety of endoscopic probes have been developed in order to meet the needs of various endoscopic OCT imaging. We propose a passive driven intravascular optical coherent tomography (IV-OCT) probe in this paper. Instead of using any electrically driven scanning device, the probe makes use of the kinetic energy of the fluid that flushes away the blood during the intravascular optical coherence tomography imaging.

Exact surface profile measurement without subtracting dispersion phase through Fourier transform in a white-light scanning interferometer.

A new signal processing is proposed in which the dispersion phase is not subtracted from the detected spectral phase distribution. The linear and bias components in the spectral phase distribution are used to calculate the complex-valued interference signal (CVIS). The simulations verify that the dispersion phase generates an inclination in the measured surface profile along one direction in which the magnitude of the dispersion phase changes linearly.

Utilization of complex-valued signals in a white-light scanning interferometer for accurate measurement of a surface profile.

Complex-valued interference signals (CVISs) of a white-light scanning interferometer (WLSI) and a spectrally resolved interferometer (SRI) are obtained from their real-valued interference signals through Fourier transform. First the phase distribution in the CVIS of the SRI indicates a dispersion phase caused by two sides of unequal length in a cubic beam splitter, and the magnitude of the dispersion phase changes linearly along a horizontal direction of the beam splitter. Next the dispersion phase with a different magnitude is subtracted from the spectral phase in Fourier transform of the CVIS of the WLSI.

Nonsubsampled contourlet transform method for optical fringe pattern analysis in profilometry and interferometry.

A method based on a nonsubsampled contourlet transform, which is an overcomplete transform with multiresolution, directionality, and shift-invariance properties, is proposed to extract the fundamental frequency component of an optical fringe pattern in profilometry and interferometry. The nonsubsampled contourlet transform method overcomes the disadvantages of the original contourlet transform method, which lacks the shift-invariance property. Besides, it improves the frequency selectivity.

Multifrequency swept common-path en-face OCT for wide-field measurement of interior surface vibrations in thick biological tissues.

Microvibrations that occur in bio-tissues are considered to play pivotal roles in organ function; however techniques for their measurement have remained underdeveloped. To address this issue, in the present study we have developed a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) method that utilizes multifrequency swept interferometry. The OCT volume data can be acquired by sweeping the multifrequency modes produced by combining a tunable Fabry-Perot filter and an 840 nm super-luminescent diode with a bandwidth of 160 nm.

Orthonormal polynomials for annular pupil including a cross-shaped obstruction.

By nonrecursive matrix method using the Zernike circle polynomials as the basis functions, we derived a set of polynomials up to fourth order which is approximately orthonormal for optical systems with an annular pupil having a cross-shaped obstruction. The performance of the polynomials is compared with the strictly orthonormal polynomials with some numerical examples.

Full-range Fourier domain Doppler optical coherence tomography based on sinusoidal phase modulation.

A novel full-range Fourier domain Doppler optical coherence tomography (full-range FD-DOCT) using sinusoidal phase modulation for B-M scan is proposed. In this sinusoidal B-M scan, zero optical path difference (OPD) position does not move corresponding to lateral scanning points in contrast to linear B-M scan. Since high phase sensitivity arises around the zero OPD position, the proposed full-range FD-DOCT can achieve easily high velocity sensitivity without mirror image around the zero OPD position.

High spatial resolution zonal wavefront reconstruction with improved initial value determination scheme for lateral shearing interferometry.

In a recent paper [J. Opt. Soc.

Profile measurement of glass sheet using multiple wavelength backpropagation interferometry.

Multiple-wavelength backpropagation interferometry based on a spectral interferometer is proposed for measuring thin glass sheets with nanometer accuracy. The multiwavelength backpropagation method introduced to the spectral interferometer eliminates time-encoded wavelength sweeping and mechanical scanning, which enables high-speed profile measurements. The applicability of the proposed method is experimentally demonstrated through cross-sectional profile and vibrating surface displacement measurements of a glass sheet.

Generalized zonal wavefront reconstruction for high spatial resolution in lateral shearing interferometry.

A new zonal wavefront reconstruction method for lateral shearing interferometry was presented. The proposed algorithm allows shear amounts equal to arbitrary integral multiple of the sample intervals. High spatial resolution reconstruction is achieved with only two difference wavefronts measured in orthogonal shear directions.

Modal wavefront reconstruction based on Zernike polynomials for lateral shearing interferometry: comparisons of existing algorithms.

Four modal methods of reconstructing a wavefront from its difference fronts based on Zernike polynomials in lateral shearing interferometry are currently available, namely the Rimmer-Wyant method, elliptical orthogonal transformation, numerical orthogonal transformation, and difference Zernike polynomial fitting. The present study compared these four methods by theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. The results show that the difference Zernike polynomial fitting method is superior to the three other methods due to its high accuracy, easy implementation, easy extension to any high order, and applicability to the reconstruction of a wavefront on an aperture of arbitrary shape.

Phase-shifting laser diode interferometer using pulse modulation.

A phase-shifting laser diode interferometer that uses direct pulse modulation is proposed and demonstrated. We found that a laser beam with a wide range of wavelength variation at constant optical power could be generated when a pulsed current was injected into the laser diode. We constructed a highly accurate interferometer by using a pair of interferometers.

Utilization of frequency information in a linear wavenumber-scanning interferometer for profile measurement of a thin film.

The positions of the front and rear surfaces of a silicon dioxide film with 4 μm thickness is measured with a novel and simple method in which both amplitude and phase of a sinusoidal wave signal corresponding to one optical path difference of a reflecting surface is utilized in a linear wavenumber-scanning interferometer. For this utilization, the scanning width and the position of the reference mirror are adjusted exactly to distinguish the two sinusoidal waves corresponding to the two surfaces of the film. The scanning width of the wavenumber and wavelength of the light source are 0.

Sinusoidal phase-modulating interferometer insensitive to intensity modulation of a laser diode for displacement measurement.

In sinusoidal phase-modulating laser diode interferometers, an injection current of a laser diode is sinusoidally modulated to scan the laser wavelength. However, the modulation of the injection current also involves an intensity modulation of the light, which increases the measurement error if a conventional signal processing is used. A novel signal processing for displacement measurement is proposed to eliminate the influence of the intensity modulation.

Use of numerical orthogonal transformation for the Zernike analysis of lateral shearing interferograms.

A numerical orthogonal transformation method for reconstructing a wavefront by use of Zernike polynomials in lateral shearing interferometry is proposed. The difference fronts data in two perpendicular directions are fitted to numerical orthonormal polynomials instead of Zernike polynomials, and then the orthonormal coefficients are used to evaluate the Zernike coefficients of the original wavefront by use of a numerical shear matrix. Due to the fact that the dimensions of the shear matrix are finite, the high-order terms of the original wavefront above a certain order have to be neglected.

Measurement of a cross-sectional profile of a thread gauge using a sinusoidally vibrating interference pattern.

A sinusoidally vibrating interference pattern (SVIP) is used as an exact spatial scale in order to measure a cross-sectional profile of a thread gauge. The SVIP is projected on the thread gauge surface, and lights diffracted and reflected from the end points of the thread gauge surface are extracted by spatial frequency filtering in an imaging system to make an image of the end points whose positions are decided by the peak positions of amplitude distributions in the image. The coordinates of the end points or the cross-sectional profile of the thread gauge is obtained from the phases measured at the positions of the end points, phase distribution of the SVIP on a CCD image sensor, and the pixel positions of the CCD image sensor.

Slope measurement of bent plates using double grating shearing interferometry.

A grating-based shearing interferometeric setup for slope measurement of bent plates has been proposed. The specimen under test is illuminated by a collimated beam from the laser. Light reflected from the specimen passes through two identical holographic gratings placed in tandem.

Real-time slope mapping and defect detection in bent plates using Talbot interferometry.

We demonstrate a simple method for obtaining slope contours of bent plates using Talbot interferometry. The technique has been used to map slope contours of polymethyl methacrylate specimens of different shapes. The Talbot image of a coarse grating is projected onto a specimen such that the self-image is backreflected onto the same grating again.