Double-pass rotary mirror array for fast scanning optical delay line

Abstract

We have developed a fast scanning optical delay line based on a rotary mirror array. A double-pass configuration is adopted to optimize the fiber-optical coupling and thus minimize the amplitude modulation in the reflected light. The achieved scanning range is extended to over 3 mm. An additional Michelson interferometer is incorporated into the reference arm to achieve high delay repeatability. Such a device is ideal for real-time optical coherence tomography, optical Doppler tomography, and spectroscopic optical coherence tomography. © 2006 Optical Society of America.