Delay and dispersion characteristics of a frequency-domain optical delay line for scanning interferometry

The reflective frequency-domain optical delay line employing a diffraction grating, a lens, and a tiltable mirror has emerged as a device particularly suitable for interferometry and optical coherence tomography. The device is comprehensively described, both theoretically and experimentally; in the context of interferometry. The variations of phase and group delay produced by the device as well as its dispersive properties are described and demonstrated experimentally. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America