US6570659B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Broadband light source system and method and light source combiner
Assignee: LIGHLAB IMAGING Inc
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Filing: 2001-03-16
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Granted: 2003-05-27
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Expires: 2021-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A system for generating a source of broadband light includes, in one embodiment, a plurality of light sources such as SLEDs or edge-emitting luminescent diodes (ELEDs) whose outputs are combined in at least one combiner unit. The combiner unit combines light from a plurality of light sources into a single mode output beam. In one embodiment, the single mode output beam is the input beam to an interferometer for optical coherence tomography. In another embodiment, a time-gain compensation (TGC) unit is in communication with the plurality of light sources. The TGC unit controls the plurality of light sources independently and simultaneously. In one embodiment, control of the plurality of light sources by the TGC unit is in synchrony with the variation in optical delay in the reference arm of the interferometer. The TGC unit may feature, for example, a modulated current regulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4215; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/31; G01M11/3109; G01M11/3127; G01M11/3154; G01M11/3181; G02B6/26; G02B6/27; G02B6/2726; G02B6/274; G02B6/2753; G02B6/2773; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29305; G02B6/2931; G02B6/2706; G02B6/2713; G02B6/29346; G02B6/29349
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for generating a source of broadband light comprising: a white-light interferometer comprising a reference arm and a sample arm; a plurality of light sources; a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single-mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single mode output light beam, said single mode output light beam being input to said interferometer; and a time-gain compensation unit in communication with said plurality of light sources, said time-gain compensation unit controlling said plurality of light sources independently and simultaneously in synchrony with the variation in the optical delay in the reference arm of said interferometer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for generating a source of broadband light comprising: a white-light interferometer comprising a reference arm and a sample arm; a plurality of light sources; a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single-mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single mode output light beam, said single mode output light beam being input to said interferometer; and a time-gain compensation unit in communication with said plurality of light sources, said time-gain compensation unit controlling said plurality of light sources independently and simultaneously in synchrony with the variation in the optical delay in the reference arm of said interferometer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization adjuster in optical communication with said single-mode output port, said polarization adjuster adjusting the direction of the polarization axis of each of said input sources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said interferometer comprises a dual-input interferometer comprising a pair of optical circulators wherein said optical circulators combined with said combiner, permits combination of at least two light sources.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of light sources emit light in adjacent partially overlapping wavelength bands separated by a fixed interval, wherein said multiplexing element comprises a truncated star coupler, a grating, and a plurality of focusing optics, and wherein said multiplexing element combines the outputs of said light sources having source bandwidths substantially identical to said fixed interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of light sources comprise light-emitting diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprise superluminescent light-emitting diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said plurality of light-emitting diodes comprise edge-emitting diodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization multiplexer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a wavelength-division multiplexer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said time-gain compensation unit comprises a modulated current regulator in electrical communication with said light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of polarization adjustment loops in optical communication with a respective one of said light sources.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a coupler in optical communication with said plurality of light sources.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a polarization beam splitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said broadband light is generated for optical coherence tomography.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for generating a source of broadband light comprising: a white-light interferometer comprising a reference arm and a sample arm; a plurality of light sources with partially overlapping optical spectra; and a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single mode output light beam, said single mode output light beam being input to said interferometer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for generating a source of broadband light comprising: a white-light interferometer comprising a reference arm and a sample arm; a plurality of light sources with partially overlapping optical spectra; and a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single mode output light beam, said single mode output light beam being input to said interferometer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization adjuster in optical communication with said single-mode output port, said polarization adjuster adjusting the direction of the polarization axis of each of said input sources.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein said interferometer comprises a dual-input interferometer comprising a pair of optical circulators wherein said optical circulators combined with said combiner, permits combination of at least two light sources.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein said light-emitting diodes emit different peak wavelengths of emission separated by a fixed interval, wherein said multiplexing element comprises a truncated star coupler, a grating, and a plurality of focusing optics, and wherein said multiplexing element combines the outputs of said light sources having source bandwidths substantially identical to said fixed interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said plurality of light sources comprise light-emitting diodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprise superluminescent light-emitting diodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said plurality of light-emitting diodes comprise edge-emitting diodes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization multiplexer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a wavelength-division multiplexer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said time-gain compensation unit comprises a modulated current regulator in electrical communication with said light source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of polarization adjustment loops in optical communication with a respective one of said light sources.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising a coupler in optical communication with said plurality of light sources.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising a polarization beam splitter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said broadband light is generated for optical coherence tomography.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
98 words
A light source combiner comprising: a plurality of light sources; a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single-mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single-mode output light beam, said single mode output light beam being input to said interferometer; and a time-gain compensation unit controlling said plurality of light sources independently and simultaneously.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
98 words
A light source combiner comprising: a plurality of light sources; a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single-mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single-mode output light beam, said single mode output light beam being input to said interferometer; and a time-gain compensation unit controlling said plurality of light sources independently and simultaneously.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 wherein said plurality of light sources comprises light-emitting diodes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprises superluminescent light-emitting diodes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light source combiner of claim 30 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprises edge-emitting diodes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization multiplexer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a wavelength-division multiplexer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 wherein said time-gain compensation unit comprises a modulated current regulator in electrical communication with said light sources.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 further comprises a plurality of polarization adjustment loops each in optical communication with a respective one of said light sources.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 further comprising a coupler in optical communication with said plurality of light sources.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 further comprising a polarization beam splitter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light source combiner of claim 29 wherein said combined light is applied to optical coherence tomography.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
81 words
A light source combiner comprising: a plurality of light sources with partially overlapping optical spectra; and a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single mode output light beam.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
81 words
A light source combiner comprising: a plurality of light sources with partially overlapping optical spectra; and a combiner unit, comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port in optical communication with a respective light source, at least one multiplexing element in communication with said plurality of input ports, and a single mode output port in optical communication with said multiplexing element, wherein said combiner unit combines light from said plurality of light sources into a single mode output light beam.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 wherein said plurality of light sources comprises light-emitting diodes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprises superluminescent light-emitting diodes.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light source combiner of claim 41 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprises edge-emitting diodes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization multiplexer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a wavelength-division multiplexer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 wherein said time gain compensation unit comprises a modulated current regulator in electrical communication with said light sources.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 further comprises a plurality of polarization adjustment loops each in optical communication with a respective one of said light sources.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 further comprising a coupler in optical communication with said plurality of light sources.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light source combiner of claim 40 further comprising a polarization beam splitter.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of generating a broadband light source comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of light sources, each producing an output light beam; combining said output light beam into a single mode output light beam; and adjusting the intensity of each of said plurality light sources in response to said single mode output light beam.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of generating a broadband light source comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of light sources, each producing an output light beam; combining said output light beam into a single mode output light beam; and adjusting the intensity of each of said plurality light sources in response to said single mode output light beam.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 50 wherein said plurality of light sources comprises light-emitting diodes.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 50 wherein said broadband light is generated for optical coherence tomography.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprise edge-emitting diodes.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said light-emitting diodes comprise superluminescent light-emitting diodes.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 50 wherein said combining step comprises a multiplexing element.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 55 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a polarization multiplexer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 55 wherein said multiplexing element comprises a wavelength-division multiplexer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 50 wherein said adjusting step comprises a time gain compensator unit.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 58 wherein said time gain compensator unit comprises a modulated current regulator in electrical communication with said light sources.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 50 further comprising the step of rotating the polarization axis of each of the output light beams.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 60 wherein said rotating step comprises a polarization adjustment loop for each of said output light beams.
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