Broadband wavelength swept source combining a quantum dot and a quantum well SOA in the wavelength range of 1153-1366 nm

A wide tuning range wavelength swept laser for high axial resolution optical coherence tomography reported. Here, a parallel configuration of a quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a quantum well SOA is utilised for broadband optical source. The total scanning range of over 210 nm (192 nm at 10 dB) from 1153 to 1366 nm is reported. To investigate the feasiblity of the swept light source, demonstrated is an optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) system. The system sensitivity of 101 dB is reported and axial resolution of 6.0 μm in air is achieved. Finally, ex vivo OFDI imaging of human breast tissue is performed.