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Wigner phase space distributions and coherence tomography

Publication ,  Journal Article
Thomas, JE; Reil, F; Lee, KF; Wax, A; Bali, S
Published in: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
January 1, 2000

We demonstrate the measurement of path-length-resolved optical phase space distributions as a new framework for exploring the evolution of optical coherence in a turbid medium. This method measures joint transverse position and momentum (i.e., angle) distributions of the optical field, resolved by optical path length in the medium. The measured distributions are related to the Wigner phase space distribution function of the optical field, and can provide complete characterization of the optical coherence in multiple scattering media. Optical phase space distributions are obtained as contour plots which enable a visual as well as quantitative method of characterizing the spatial coherence properties and wavefront curvature of the input and scattered fields. By using a broad-band source in a heterodyne detection scheme, we observe transmission and backscatter resolved by path length in the random medium, effectively providing time resolution. New two-window heterodyne detection methods permit independent control of position and momentum resolution with a variance product that surpasses the uncertainty limit associated with Fourier transform pairs. Hence, high position and angular resolution can be simultaneously achieved. These techniques may provide new venues for using optical coherence in medical imaging.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

ISSN

0277-786X

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

3914

Start / End Page

363 / 371

Related Subject Headings

  • 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
  • 4006 Communications engineering
 

Citation

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Thomas, J. E., Reil, F., Lee, K. F., Wax, A., & Bali, S. (2000). Wigner phase space distributions and coherence tomography. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 3914, 363–371.
Thomas, J. E., F. Reil, K. F. Lee, A. Wax, and S. Bali. “Wigner phase space distributions and coherence tomography.” Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering 3914 (January 1, 2000): 363–71.
Thomas JE, Reil F, Lee KF, Wax A, Bali S. Wigner phase space distributions and coherence tomography. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000 Jan 1;3914:363–71.
Thomas, J. E., et al. “Wigner phase space distributions and coherence tomography.” Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, vol. 3914, Jan. 2000, pp. 363–71.
Thomas JE, Reil F, Lee KF, Wax A, Bali S. Wigner phase space distributions and coherence tomography. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000 Jan 1;3914:363–371.

Published In

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

ISSN

0277-786X

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

3914

Start / End Page

363 / 371

Related Subject Headings

  • 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
  • 4006 Communications engineering