A versatile frequency domain multiplexer for optical coherence tomography

In this paper we present a frequency multiplexed optical coherence tomography imaging method in which simultaneous data acquisition is enabled by a multiplexer. The multiplexer is based on a pair of Bragg cells, simultaneously driven at several frequencies that enable multiple paths in the reference arm. Multiple beams are created in the multiplexer and then recombined again so that the resulting beam multiplex can be inserted into a single mode fiber. In this paper we discuss the design principles for a multiplexer that supports the reflectivity measurements as well as polarization sensitive imaging at several different depths. We show how to design a system with a low footprint, while allowing broad optical bandwidth to be used for imaging in multiple channels with little crosstalk between adjacent channels. © 2013 SPIE