Tuning Superluminescent Diode Characteristics for Optical Coherence Tomography Systems by Utilizing a Multicontact Device Incorporating Wavelength-Modulated Quantum Dots

This paper details the development of broadband sources at 1050 nm for optical coherence tomography applications. A method for obtaining a broad and smooth emission and gain spectrum for 1050 nm quantum dot (QD) layers is presented. The design, fabrication, and operating characteristics of multicontact superluminescent diodes are then set out, and the operating characteristics of this device, incorporating the broadband QD material, are described. It is shown that this device allows the tuning of the emission spectrum peak position, peak shape, emission bandwidth, and power, which are advantageous for imaging applications. A simplified device, utilizing a single current source, is achieved by incorporating a resistor network. The operation of the multicontact device under various drive topologies is discussed.