FODL-SA

Optical coherence tomography is a powerful imaging technique used to obtain micrometer-scale, cross-sectional images of biological tissues and other scattering media. By using short-coherence-length light sources OCT can discern optical reflections from various depths in the sample. In medical contexts—especially ophthalmology, cardiology, and dermatology—OCT has transformed both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures through its high-resolution, noninvasive imaging capabilities.

At the heart of any OCT system is an interferometric setup, typically a Michelson interferometer with a reference arm and a sample arm. To reconstruct depth profiles (A-scans) at micrometer resolution, the optical path length in the reference arm must be finely tuned to match different layers within the sample. Fiber optic delay lines provide this precise control allowing one to scan through various depths within the tissue, enabling 2D or even 3D imaging.

Time division multiplexing (or more specifically optical time division multiplexing OTDM) enables multiple data channels to share a single communication path (optical fiber in case of ODTM) by interleaving their pulsed signals in time. This technique is used to increase the overall data transmission capacity. After being transmitted together, the signals are separated at the end of the optical path based on different times of arrival. This is where fiber optic delay lines come into play. By enabling precise, stable temporal alignment of ultrashort pulses, fiber optic delay lines are indispensable components in modern OTDM setups. They help maximize data throughput, maintain signal quality, and ensure reliable, high-speed optical communication.

In cutting-edge research labs, optical delay lines serve as valuable tools for fine-tuning light signals with extreme precision—often down to sub-femtosecond levels. By enabling minute adjustments of path length, they help researchers perform highly sensitive interferometric measurements, synchronize ultrafast laser pulses, and explore new frontiers in spectroscopy. The result is enhanced experimental control, improved data accuracy, and the ability to unlock groundbreaking discoveries in fields spanning from fundamental physics to high-speed communication technologies.