Quasi-supercontinuum generation using 1.06 μm ultrashort-pulse laser system for ultrahigh-resolution optical-coherence tomography

We demonstrate quasi-supercontinuum (quasi-SC) generation around the 1.3 mu m wavelength region using ultrahigh-speed, wavelength-tunable, femtosecond soliton pulses based on an ultrashort-pulse laser system operating at a wavelength of 1.0 mu m. The wavelength tuning range was from 1.0 to 1.9 mu m, and the scanning speed was up to 1.3 MHz. A Gaussian-like quasi-SC with a bandwidth of 220 nm was generated at 1220 nm. The generated quasi-SC was used in an optical-coherence tomography system. High axial resolutions of 5.1 mu m in air and 3.7 mu m in tissue were obtained. A maximum sensitivity of 100 dB was achieved, and ultrahigh-resolution images of a hamster cheek pouch were observed. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America