A stretched-pulse mode-locked (SPML) wavelength-swept laser source at 1.06 mu m

In recent studies, high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are gaining attention and are in high demand due to the need for a wide range of real-time in-vivo imaging applications. This report presents a stretched-pulse mode-locked (SPML) laser providing similar to 20 MHz A-line rate for rapid OCT imaging at a center wavelength of 1.06 mu m and optical bandwidth of 92 nm. The OCT performance of the laser design was investigated in a Scotch band phantom. The proposed laser may have significant potential in OCT imaging modality, especially in OCT angiography applications.