Self-phase-modulated Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser source for optical coherence tomography.

An all-solid-state Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser operating at 1.28 microm is demonstrated as a shortcoherence-length, high-average-power source for optical coherence tomographic (OCT) imaging. We achieve ultrahigh resolution by spectrally broadening the laser pulses, using self-phase modulation in a dispersionshifted single-mode fiber. OCT imaging with a resolution of 6 microm and a dynamic range of 115 dB is achieved.

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