VCSEL Swept Source Technology

OCTLIGHT´s VCSEL Swept Source

Lasers are becoming ubiquitous in our daily lives from optical communications to laser material processing. Compared to most lasers a wavelength tunable laser differs in that the tunability of the wavelength is a desired and controlled effect.

OCTLIGHT specializes in VCSEL Swept Sources based on patented wavelength tunable laser technology.

Our VCSEL laser technology enables full 3D imaging, surface, and subsurface, in real-time
Our products are used as OCT Swept Sources for ophthalmology applications

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides a view inside objects and tissue.

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Download our technology whitepaper to have the information on hand and pass it on to your colleague. Or continue to read down below about the VCSEL technology and how it fits into the technology landscape.

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What Are the Key Advantages of the VCSEL Technology?

There are many different wavelength tunable laser technologies, or Swept Sources, that combines Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation (LASER) with a wavelength selective feedback. The most common type of wavelength tunable laser is the External Cavity Laser (ECL) where the laser diode is combined with a diffraction grating that is external to the laser cavity. The ECL technology is well-established but has an inherent limitation on the scan rate. Lasing in ECLs is built from spontaneous emission as the wavelength is swept which causes a decrease in the imaging range (coherence length) as the scan rates increases.

The VCSEL technology is unique in its short optical cavity which results in a narrow linewidth and long coherence length. Together with the MEMS system this enables very rapid adiabatic wavelength tuning, thus maintaining the narrow linewidth and long coherence for sweep speeds up to several tens MHz. Hence to increase the imaging range and rate in 3D imaging the VCSEL technology can in many cases be an advantageous choice.

Why Should I Use VCSELs and not ECL?

In summary the key advantages of the VCSEL technology are:

The superior optical coherence length of VCSEL technology permits a disruptive increase in imaging range
The VCSEL enables rapid tuning range (MHz) due to a smaller beam waist and smaller mechanical mirror size.

The electrically pumped VCSEL allows easier wafer-scale testing and a simpler, smaller form-factor component.

OCTLIGHT´s VCSEL Swept Source

Want to know more?

What Are the Key Advantages of the VCSEL Technology?

Why Should I Use VCSELs and not ECL?

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