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Method and apparatus for performing optical measurements using a rapidly frequency-tuned laser

  • US 5,956,355 A
  • Filed: 06/17/1997
  • Issued: 09/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An optical system comprising:

  • an external-cavity frequency-tuned laser having a tunable longitudinal cavity mode and a center timable wavelength, said external-cavity frequency-tuned laser comprising;

    an optical cavity;

    an optical gain medium positioned within said optical cavity; and

    a rapid tuning wavelength selecting device positioned to receive light from said optical gain medium and adapted to return selected wavelengths of light to said optical gain medium;

    an interferometer in optical communication with said external-cavity frequency-tuned laser, said interferometer adapted to project a portion of light from said external-cavity frequency-tuned laser onto a sample and to receive light altered by said sample, said interferometer adapted to combine light reflected from said sample and said light from said external-cavity frequency-tuned laser;

    a detector positioned to receive said combined light from said interferometer and to generate a signal in response thereto; and

    a processing unit in communication with said detector,wherein said external-cavity frequency-tuned laser is substantially continuously tunable,wherein said tunable wavelength selecting device tunes the center wavelength of the external-cavity frequency-tuned laser at the same rate as the longitudinal cavity mode of the external-cavity frequency-tuned laser is tuned, andwherein said processing unit performs digital signal processing to extract spatial information related to the sample in response to said signal from said detector.

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