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Superluminescent Diode (SLD) Light Sources for OCT Systems![]()
SLD1325 1325 nm SLD, >100 nm Bandwidth An Image of the Anterior of the Eye Taken with the SLD830S-A10 in a Modified Ganymede ll OCT System SLD830S-A10 830 nm SLD, Gain Ripple: ≤0.15 dB ![]() Please Wait ![]() Click to Enlarge The SLD1325 Superluminescent Diode Mounted in a CLD1015 Compact Laser Diode Driver with TEC
Features
Superluminescent Diodes (SLDs) are the light source of choice in Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) imaging. The broad spectrum and short coherence length of the emitted light improves the depth resolution in OCT images. Thorlabs offers SLDs designed for OCT applications with center wavelengths from 770 nm to 1325 nm (see the Quick Links table to the right). Each SLD is shipped with an individualized product data sheet, which includes information on the spectrum and operating parameters of the device. Raw test data for each SLD is also available upon request; please contact Tech Support with inquiries. For more details about each SLD, please see the Specs tab. These devices are built into 14-pin butterfly packages, each with an integrated thermoelectric cooler (TEC) and thermistor to ensure output stability. The output is coupled into either an SM or PM fiber terminated with a 2.0 mm narrow key FC/APC connector. Please note that optical feedback can diminish the output power or damage the SLD. We do not recommend using these SLDs with components that are prone to back reflections, such as FC/PC connectors. The SLD1325 1325 nm superluminescent diode incorporates an integrated isolator. If you are interested in an SLD at a different wavelength with an integrated isolator, please contact Tech Support with inquiries. Thorlabs is able to provide low-ripple SLDs with custom wavelengths or higher power diodes. Please note that the engineering design and wafer manufacturing costs involved make the purchase of low quantities very costly. For a quote on custom SLDs, please contact Tech Support. The SLDs featured on this page have either a near-Gaussian or flat-top optical spectrum. The calculation for the center wavelength differs with these two spectral shapes. Please see the Specs tab for center wavelength calculations. For wavelengths up to 1550 nm and devices not optimized for OCT, see our full selection of superluminescent diodes. Operation Guidelines These SLDs should be operated at a constant current and temperature, which is relatively simple with the proper SLD mount and drivers. To mount and drive these SLDs, Thorlabs recommends using a ITC4000 Series Laser Diode Driver with the LM14S2 Mount. As with most active semiconductor devices, standard anti-static handling procedures must be adhered to in order to prevent an electrical discharge that could destroy the device. OCT Application ImagesImages of (a) the lens, (b) the anterior, and (c) the retina of the eye obtained using a Ganymede SD-OCT System modified to integrate an SLD830S-A10 (sold below) as a light source. The images each have an in-tissue depth of 6.2 mm and were taken using a 36 kHz A-scan rate.
Due to the nature of producing superluminescent diodes with ultra wide bandwidths, some of the SLDs sold below have spectral shapes that are near gaussian, while others have a shape with a flattened top. This difference in spectral shape demands two different methods of defining center wavelength in order to provide an accurate description of the diode. Near-Guassian Center Wavelength Definition where
Flat-Top Center Wavelength Definition where
SLD SpecificationsNote that these specifications are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note: the ASE Power specification is the output from the fiber pigtail. 770 nm Superluminescent Diode
810 nm Superluminescent Diodes
830 nm Superluminescent Diodes
850 nm Superluminescent Diodes
880 nm Superluminescent Diodes
920 nm Superluminescent Diodes
930 nm Superluminescent Diodes
970 nm Superluminescent Diodes
1050 nm Superluminescent Diodes
1310 nm Superluminescent Diode
1325 nm Superluminescent Diode![]() Theoretical axial resolution for a Spectral Domain OCT System utilizing a 1325 nm light source with 100 nm bandwidth in air, assuming an ideal source with Gaussian spectral distribution. The theoretical axial (depth) resolution of a Spectral Domain OCT imaging system is
Here, Δz, is the axial resolution (FWHM of the autocorrelation function) while Δλ is the FWHM of the power spectrum of the SLD light source. The index of refraction (n) of air is ~1, so for a central wavelength (λ) of 1325 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 100 nm, the theoretical axial resolution would be approximately 7.7 µm (see plot). This equation assumes an ideal source with Gaussian spectral distribution. To reduce side-lobe artifacts that may arise from utilizing non-Gaussian sources, we recommend applying a spectral filter to the detected interferogram. Depending on the filter applied, the actual resolution may be reduced. Butterfly Package, Type 1![]()
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This superluminescent diode is designed to be used in OCT Systems that require an illumination source with extremely low gain ripple of 0.01 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over an 18 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. It is available with a minimum fiber-coupled output power of 4.5 mW. Note that the specifications in the table to the right are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications to the right are specified at the operating current. ![]()
This superluminescent diode is designed to be used in OCT Systems that require an illumination source with extremely low gain ripple of 0.03 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 30 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. It is available with a minimum fiber-coupled output power of 13 mW. Note that the specifications in the table to the right are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications to the right are specified at the operating current. ![]()
These superluminescent diodes are designed to be used in OCT Systems that require an illumination source with extremely low gain ripple of 0.03 dB or 0.06 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 20 nm, 55 nm, or 60 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. They are available with a minimum fiber-coupled output power of 10 mW or 20 mW. Note that the specifications in the table below are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications below are specified at the operating current.
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These superluminescent diodes are designed to be used in OCT Systems that require an illumination source with extremely low typical gain ripple of 0.03 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 55 nm or 60 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. They are available with a minimum fiber-coupled output power of 10 mW or 20 mW. Note that the specifications in the table below are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications below are specified at the operating current.
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These superluminescent diodes are designed to be used in OCT Systems. They have a low typical gain ripple of 0.06 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 40 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. They are available with a typical fiber-coupled output power of 7 mW or 25 mW. Note that the specifications in the table below are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications below are specified at the operating current.
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These superluminescent diodes are designed to be used in OCT Systems. They have a low typical RMS gain ripple of 0.02 dB, a relatively flat spectrum over a 65 nm wide typical 3 dB bandwidth, and 15 mW typical fiber-coupled output power. Note that the specifications in the table to the right are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications to the right are specified at the operating current. ![]()
These superluminescent diodes are designed to be used in OCT Systems. They have a low typical RMS gain ripple of 0.06 dB, a relatively flat spectrum over a 45 nm wide typical 3 dB bandwidth, and 40 mW typical fiber-coupled output power. Note that the specifications in the table to the right are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications to the right are specified at the operating current. ![]()
This superluminescent diode is designed to be used in OCT Systems. It has a low typical gain ripple of 0.03 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 50 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. This SLD is available with a typical fiber-coupled output power of 40 mW. ![]()
This superluminescent diode is designed to be used in OCT Systems. It has a low typical gain ripple of 0.03 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 70 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. This SLD is available with a typical fiber-coupled output power of 60 mW.
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This superluminescent diode is designed to be used in OCT Systems. It has a low max gain ripple of 0.35 dB (RMS) and a relatively flat spectrum over a 85 nm wide 3 dB bandwidth. This SLD is available with a typical fiber-coupled output power of 12.5 mW. ![]()
The SLD1325, with a typical center wavelength of 1325 nm, is designed to have an extremely broad bandwidth of >100 nm (FWHM), making it ideal for high-axial-resolution SD-OCT applications (see the Resolution SD-OCT tab above for more information). This SLD is packaged with an integrated TEC and thermistor for temperature control, as well as an optical isolator for enhanced optical stability. The SLD should be operated in a constant current constant temperature mode, which is relatively simple with the proper SLD mount and drivers. To mount and drive the SLD1325, Thorlabs recommends using the CLD1015 Compact Laser Diode Driver. Note that the specifications in the table to the right are given as guidelines. The characterization sheet shipped with each SLD provides the minimum, maximum, and recommended operating parameters and specifications specific to that device. All devices will exceed the bandwidth and power specifications listed below. Note that the bandwidth will decrease as the current is decreased; bandwidth specifications below are specified at the operating current. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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