Multi-probe photonic time-stretch optical coherence tomography

Time-stretch dispersive Fourier transform is an all-optical processing method for real-time Fourier transformation of ultrafast optical signals that allows for the implementation of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) at tens of MHz A-scan rates. In this work we propose and demonstrate a Time-Stretch OCT (TS-OCT) method that supports multiple probes with minimal increase in complexity and cost of the system. The new method can be employed to expand the scannable area of TS-OCT system without sacrificing the x-y spatial resolution. The proposed method is based on using a Wavelength Division Multiplexer (WDM) device in the signal arm of the TS-OCT system connected to multiple independent imaging probes. The signal path in majority of the system is common for all the probe signals including the interferometer, highly dispersive element, optical amplifier, photo receiver, and digitizer channel. Different probe spectra interference signals are separated digitally in digital post processing on the computer. This method allows to have the benefit of multi-probe systems in TS-OCT systems with minimal increase in the system complexity and cost.