Simultaneous 0.8, 1.0, and 1.3 μm multispectral and common-path broadband source for optical coherence tomography.

Simultaneous multispectral generation in 0.8, 1.0, and 1.3 μm wavelength ranges by efficient energy conversions of 1.0 μm wavelength femtosecond pulses through a nonlinear fiber was reported. The output spectral range of this multispectral light source was composed of 0.6-0.9 μm blue-shifted Cherenkov radiation (CR), 1.0 μm residual pump, and 1.1-1.7 μm red-shifted soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) with more than 1  mW/nm power-spectral densities. Output characteristics of the multispectral light source were then quantitatively analyzed and the central wavelengths of CR and SSFS emissions can be further easily adjusted by changing the input power into wavelength conversion fiber. Example spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of an IR card and finger skin were also performed with the demonstrated source. Due to the advantages of its simplicity, easily operated, and wavelength tunability, the reported multispectral source could be widely applicable for various spectroscopic OCT applications.