Jianbing Xu

Parametric spectro-temporal analyzer (PASTA) for real-time optical spectrum observation

Real-time optical spectrum analysis is an essential tool in observing ultrafast phenomena, such as the dynamic monitoring of spectrum evolution. However, conventional method such as optical spectrum analyzers disperse the spectrum in space and allocate it in time sequence by mechanical rotation of a grating, so are incapable of operating at high speed. A more recent method all-optically stretches the spectrum in time domain, but is limited by the allowable input condition. In view of these constraints, here we present a real-time spectrum analyzer called parametric spectro-temporal analyzer (PASTA), which is based on the time-lens focusing mechanism. It achieves a frame rate as high as 100 MHz and accommodates various input conditions. As a proof of concept and also for the first time, we verify its applications in observing the dynamic spectrum of a Fourier domain mode-locked laser, and the spectrum evolution of a laser cavity during its stabilizing process.

High-performance multi-megahertz optical coherence tomography based on amplified optical time-stretch

As the key prerequisite of high-speed volumetric structural and functional tissue imaging in real-time, scaling the A-scan rate beyond MHz has been one of the major pursuits in the development of optical coherence tomography (OCT). Along with a handful of techniques enabling multi-MHz, amplified optical time-stretch OCT (AOT-OCT) has recently been demonstrated as a viable alternative for ultrafast swept-source OCT well above MHz without the need for the mechanical wavelength-tuning mechanism. In this paper, we report a new generation of AOT-OCT demonstrating superior performance to its older generation and all other time-stretch-based OCT modalities in terms of shot-to-shot stability, sensitivity (~90dB), roll-off performance (>4 mm/dB) and A-scan rate (11.5 MHz). Such performance is mainly attributed to the combined contribution from the stable operation of the broadband and compact mode-locked fiber laser as well as the optical amplification in-line with the time-stretch process. The system allows us, for the first time, to deliver volumetric time-stretch-based OCT of biological tissues with the single-shot A-scan rate beyond 10 MHz. Comparing with the existing high-speed OCT systems, the inertia-free AOT-OCT shows promises to realize high-performance 3D OCT imaging at video rate.

The oviduct and development of the preimplantation embryo

Fertilization and early embryo development take place in the oviduct in vivo . Relative to studies in other reproductive organs, the importance of the oviduct has been ignored for many years because pregnancies can be obtained in assisted reproduction treatment using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer to the uterus without involving the Fallopian tube. After the reports on the beneficial effect of oviductal cells on embryo development in sheep and subsequently in human, and a practical need to improve the success rates in clinical assisted reproduction, there was a period when more research was performed on the Fallopian tube. Many of these studies used in vitro coculture systems to emulate the in vivo environment in vitro , and to search for oviduct-derived embryotrophic factors. With the recent development of sequential culture to improve embryo development in vitro , the use of coculture in assisted reproduction and its related research declined because routine use of coculture is laborious and experience-dependent.

Speckle reduction of retinal optical coherence tomography based on contourlet shrinkage

Speckle reduction of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images helps the diagnosis of ocular diseases. In this Letter, we present a speckle reduction method based on shrinkage in the contourlet domain for retinal OCT images. The algorithm overcomes the disadvantages of the wavelet shrinkage method, which lacks directionality and anisotropy. The trade-off between speckle reduction and edge preservation is controlled by a single adjustable parameter, which determines the threshold in the contourlet domain. Results show substantial reduction of speckle noise and enhanced visualization of layer structures as demonstrated in the image of the central fovea region of the human retina. It is expected to be utilized in a wide range of biomedical imaging applications.

Dual-Band Time-Multiplexing Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Based on Optical Parametric Amplification

We report a high-speed time-multiplexing dual wavelength band swept laser source based on an optical parametric amplifier. A dual-band swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is implemented to demonstrate the advantage of a second wavelength band for fast spectroscopic OCT (SOCT). The innovative time-multiplexing architecture greatly reduces the complexity of the coupling and detecting configuration in comparison with the previous dual-band swept-source setup. We demonstrate the optical parametric amplification’s characteristics as a dual-band generator and applied the source to firstly achieve the SOCT around 1550 nm.

Performance of megahertz amplified optical time-stretch optical coherence tomography (AOT-OCT)

Enabled by the ultrahigh-speed all-optical wavelength-swept mechanism and broadband optical amplification, amplified optical time-stretch optical coherence tomography (AOT-OCT) has recently been demonstrated as a practical alternative to achieve ultrafast A-scan rate of multi-MHz in OCT. With the aim of identifying the optimal scenarios for MHz operation in AOT-OCT, we here present a theoretical framework to evaluate its performance metric. In particular, the analysis discusses the unique features of AOT-OCT, such as its superior coherence length, and the relationship between the optical gain and the A-scan rate. More importantly, we evaluate the sensitivity of AOT-OCT in the MHz regime under the influence of the amplifier noise. Notably, the model shows that AOT-OCT is particularly promising when operated at the A-scan rate well beyond multi-MHz--not trivially achievable by any existing swept-source OCT platform. A sensitivity beyond 90 dB, close to the shot-noise limit, can be maintained in the range of 2 - 10 MHz with an optical net gain of ~10 dB. Experimental measurement also shows excellent agreement with the theoretical prediction. While distributed fiber Raman amplification is mainly considered in this paper, the theoretical model is generally applicable to any type of amplification schemes. As a result, our analysis serves as a useful tool for further optimization of AOT-OCT system--as a practical alternative to enable MHz OCT operation.

Simultaneous dual-band optical coherence tomography for endoscopic applications

Abstract. Dual-band optical coherence tomography (OCT) can greatly enhance the imaging contrast with potential applications in functional (spectroscopic) analysis. A new simultaneous dual-band Fourier domain mode-locked swept laser configuration for dual-band OCT is reported. It was based on a custom-designed dual-channel driver to synchronize two different wavelength bands at 1310 and 1550 nm, respectively. Two lasing wavelengths were swept simultaneously from 1260 to 1364.8 nm for the 1310-nm band and from 1500 to 1604 nm for the 1550-nm band at an A-scan rate of 45 kHz. Broadband wavelength-division multiplexing was utilized to couple two wavelength bands into a common catheter for circumferential scanning to form dual-band OCT. The proposed dual-band OCT scheme was applied to endoscopic OCT imaging of mouse esophageal wall ex vivo and human fingertip in vivo to justify the feasibility of the proposed imaging technique. The proposed dual-band OCT system is fast and easy to be implemented, which allows for in vivo high-speed biomedical imaging with potential applications in spectroscopic investigations for endoscopic imaging.

Wavelet domain compounding for speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography.

Abstract. Visibility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images can be severely degraded by speckle noise. A computationally efficient despeckling approach that strongly reduces the speckle noise is reported. It is based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT), but eliminates the conventional process of threshold estimation. By decomposing an image into different levels, a set of sub-band images are generated, where speckle noise is additive. These sub-band images can be compounded to suppress the additive speckle noise, as DWT coefficients resulting from speckle noise tend to be approximately decorrelated. The final despeckled image is reconstructed by taking the inverse wavelet transform of the new compounded sub-band images. The performance of speckle reduction and edge preservation is controlled by a single parameter: the level of wavelet decomposition. The proposed technique is applied to intravascular OCT imaging of porcine carotid arterial wall and ophthalmic OCT images. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique for speckle noise reduction and simultaneous edge preservation. The presented method is fast and easy to implement and to improve the quality of OCT images.

Multiwavelength Pulse Generation Using Fiber Optical Parametric Oscillator

We demonstrate a 10-GHz multiwavelength pulsed generator based on a fiber optical parametric oscillator. By introducing two separated intracavity branches, simultaneous mode-locking at two different wavelengths in the L-band is achieved. Due to the parametric process between the pump and the two mode-locked signals, two idlers are generated in the S-band. Hence, simultaneous generation of a 10-GHz pulse train at four different wavelengths located in both the S- and L-band is accomplished. The wavelength of the generated pulse trains can be tuned over 54 nm, with the wavelength span from 1500 to 1617 nm. The stability of the proposed scheme is also experimentally investigated.

In Vivo OCT Imaging Based on La-Codoped Bismuth-Based Erbium-Doped Fiber

We demonstrate a Fourier domain mode-locked laser based on lanthanum-codoped bismuth-based erbium-doped fiber (Bi-EDF) for swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging. Raman amplification is incorporated to suppress the gain competition and homogenous linewidth broadening effects of Bi-EDF. A wavelength sweeping bandwidth of 81 nm is generated under stable operation. Therefore, in vivo OCT imaging of human finger print and orange slices is enabled and the results are also presented. This scheme paves the way for doped fiber amplifiers to be employed to generate ultra-wideband SSs for OCT applications.