THORLABS Vega Series Operating Manual
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THORLABS Vega Series Operating Manual

Ss-oct base unit, swept source oct systems
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SS-OCT Base Unit
Swept Source OCT Systems:
Vega™ and Atria™ Series
Operating Manual

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Summary of Contents for THORLABS Vega Series

  • Page 1 SS-OCT Base Unit Swept Source OCT Systems: Vega™ and Atria™ Series Operating Manual...
  • Page 2 Original User Manual – not translated...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Description ......................... 13 Chapter 3 3.1. Tutorial ........................13 Theory ........................14 Thorlabs Swept-Source OCT System Technology ........... 15 Nomenclature in OCT imaging .................. 17 3.2. SS-OCT Base Unit Components ................. 19 Base Unit ........................19 PC with Graphical User Interface ................19 SDK ...........................
  • Page 4 Mechanical Drawings ....................55 Chapter 10 Regulatory ........................56 Chapter 11 11.1. Waste Treatment is Your Own Responsibility ........... 56 11.2. Ecological Background ..................56 Thorlabs OCT Support Contact ................57 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................. 58...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 Introduction

    Opening the device will void your warranty. Any modification or servicing of this system by unqualified personnel renders Thorlabs free of any liability. This device can only be returned when packed into the complete original packaging, including all foam packing inserts.

  • Page 6: Safety

    Make sure that the line voltage rating agrees with your local supply and that the appropriate fuses are installed. Fuses should only be changed by qualified service personnel. Contact Thorlabs for assistance. Do not operate without cover installed. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.

  • Page 7: Care And Maintenance

    If the system is mishandled during shipment, the optical components may become misaligned, which can lead to a decrease in image quality. If this occurs, the system will need to be realigned by qualified personnel. Please contact Thorlabs’ OCT support (see Chapter 12) for more information.

  • Page 8: Optical Cleaning

    Thorlabs provides. Any modification or maintenance by unqualified personnel will render the warranty null and void, leaving Thorlabs free of liability. Please contact Thorlabs’ OCT support (see Chapter 12) for questions on customization.

  • Page 9: Chapter 2 Setup

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup Setup Chapter 2 2.1. Unpacking Carefully unpack the components from the transport boxes. Make sure that all components have been delivered according to the packing list included in the transport box. After unpacking, store the packing cartons and inserts.

  • Page 10: Internal Electrical Connections

    Electrical Interfaces to Imaging Scanner For connecting to a scanner application, two different interfaces are available. • The Galvo Scanner connection port is intended for use with dedicated Thorlabs imaging scanners OCTG and OCTP. • The OCTH Scanner connection port is intended for use with dedicated Thorlabs imaging scanner OCTH and furthermore allows the use of a custom scanner.

  • Page 11: System Installation

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup 2.4. System Installation ATTENTION Make sure the included power cords for the base unit, computer and monitor are connected to a properly grounded outlet (100 – 240 VAC; 50 – 60 Hz). Transportation and delivery may cause the OCT system to be warm or cool upon receipt. Please wait for the system to reach room temperature before attempting to operate.
  • Page 12 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup 5) Attach the electric connection cable to the imaging scanner. • Align the red dot of the plug to the alignment mark of the electric connection port of the scanner (e.g. OCTG). Figure 5 Plugging the Electrical Connector into the Scanner •...
  • Page 13 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup 6) Fiber connection to the imaging scanner ATTENTION When installing the fiber, make sure that the fiber tip does not get contaminated by dust. Do not touch the fiber tip! • Remove the dust caps from one fiber end and from the FC/APC fiber connection at the imaging scanner.
  • Page 14 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup 7) Attach the electric connection cable to the base unit • Align the red dot upwards, facing the alignment mark in the base unit. • Push the connector into the plug until a “click” sound is heard. Figure 8 Installing the Scanner Connection Cable at the Base Unit 8) Fiber connection to the base unit.
  • Page 15 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup 9) Signal, Trigger and USB connections at the Base Unit (see Figure 10): • Attach the SMA cable labeled “k-CLOCK Signal” to the respective SMA port. • Attach the SMA cable labeled “OCT Signal” to the respective SMA port. •...
  • Page 16 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 2: Setup AlazarTech card NI DAQ card Figure 11 Connections of the AlazarTech (top) and NI DAQ (bottom) Cards 15) Remove the protective cap off the scan objective by pulling it off the scan objective. Do not rotate the protective cap, as this might loosen the fit of the illumination tube.

  • Page 17: Chapter 3 Description

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Description Chapter 3 3.1. Tutorial Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FD-OCT) is based on low-coherence interferometry, which utilizes the coherent properties of a light source to measure optical path length delays in a sample. To obtain cross-sectional images with micron-level resolution using OCT, an interferometer is set up to measure optical path length differences between light reflected from the sample and reference arms.

  • Page 18: Theory

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Theory The interference equation for the cross-correlated interference term is �� ~2 ∙ √ �� ∙ �� ∙ cos⁡(Δ��) ������������������������ ������������ ������������������ With the phase difference Δ�� being a function of the optical path length difference and the wavenumber Δ��...

  • Page 19: Thorlabs Swept-Source Oct System Technology

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Thorlabs Swept-Source OCT System Technology Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT) technology uses a rapidly tuned broadband source to illuminate the interferometer and records the information with a balanced detector. SS-OCT technology measures the magnitude and time delay of reflected light in order to construct depth profiles (A-scans) of the sample being imaged.
  • Page 20 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Figure 14 Schematic Diagram of the Vega™ and Atria™ Series Swept Source OCT Systems Page 16 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 21: Nomenclature In Oct Imaging

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Nomenclature in OCT imaging Figure 15 A-Scan Data Set As described before, the FD-OCT engine creates a depth profile from the interference of photons sent into the sample and received back with photons reflected in the reference arm. This depth profile is referred to as an A-scan.
  • Page 22 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Additionally, scanning the second axis while collecting B-scans produces a volumetric measurement, which ® can be imaged with different display modalities. Please refer to the ThorImage OCT software manual for all features available. Figure 17 Rendered Volumetric Data Set Figure 18 En-Face View or C-Scan When displaying a plane with both scan directions as axes, an en-face image is created.

  • Page 23: Ss-Oct Base Unit Components

    A scanner as well as the OCT-Stand are not included in the base unit and must be ordered separately. When ordered together with a scanner, the system will be pre-assembled at Thorlabs and the PC settings will already be calibrated and optimized for the usage of the delivered OCT-Scanner.
  • Page 24 3D measurements. Hardware control features include (but are not limited to): • Defining a standard scanner provided by Thorlabs or creating a software representation of a custom- built device •...

  • Page 25: Imaging Scanner (Accessory)

    Imaging Scanner (Accessory) Thorlabs SS-OCT systems use a dual path OCT setup in which the sample and the reference paths split at the input of the interferometer. The reference path is set up inside the base unit. Thus, the imaging scanners presented below are “no-reference”...
  • Page 26 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Figure 22 OCTH-NR Handheld Scanner (compatible with Vega™ series base units only) Page 22 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 27: Oct-Stand (Accessory)

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description OCT-Stand (Accessory) The Thorlabs OCTG and OCTP scanners can be adapted to an OCT-STAND. The rotation/translation stage OCT-XYR1 is available as a common accessory to the OCT-STAND. Figure 23 OCT-STAND with OCT-XYR1 Figure 24 OCT-STAND Adjuster...
  • Page 28 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 3: Description Figure 25 OCT-XYR1 Sample Rotation Stage For further details on the OCT-STAND and the OCT-XYR1 please refer to the Thorlabs website. Page 24 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 29: Chapter 4 System Operation

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation System Operation Chapter 4 4.1. Starting the System Follow the steps described in the next three subchapters for proper initialization of the system. Your PC system should already be running. Turning on the Base Unit The following turn ON procedure is required for proper operation of the base unit.

  • Page 30: Basic Adjustments

    4.2. Basic Adjustments When receiving the SS-OCT system from Thorlabs, the reference length is adjusted, so that OCT imaging in air is possible simply by adjusting the focus to the region of interest. Once the scanner is significantly misadjusted, the following procedure will aid you to a good basic adjustment. For OCT imaging through refractive media, e.g.

  • Page 31: Adjusting The Reference Length

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation off focus in focus Figure 30 Basic Focus Adjustment Adjusting the Reference Length The Vega™ and Atria™ Swept Source OCT Systems are preset, so that the “zero-delay” line is set to a depth position of 0 mm, meaning that when the surface of the sample under test is placed in the focus of the objective in use, it will be shown at 0 mm of the imaging depth.

  • Page 32: Adjusting Polarization

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation When using the IR card for adjustment, your B-scan image should look as shown in Figure 32. Figure 32 B-Scan of an IR Viewing Card After basic alignment, you need to adjust the focus position inside your sample by use of the fine focus adjuster (see Figure 23) of the OCT-Stand.

  • Page 33: Adjusting The Reference Light Intensity And Amplification

    QWP and the other as a HWP. Moving the sliders rotates the respective single and double fiber loops, thus changing the state of polarization. The principle of operation is identical to a paddle polarization controller offered by Thorlabs as shown in Figure 35. Figure 35 Paddle Polarization Controller by Thorlabs Adjusting the Reference Light Intensity and Amplification If required, the reference light intensity can be modified with the reference intensity controller in the “Device...
  • Page 34 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation Figure 36 Reference Intensity Adjustment and Amplification ® For proper settings of your application please refer to the respective paragraph in the ThorImage software manual (OCT Imaging → Sensor Saturation chapter). Page 30 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 35: Advanced Adjustments

    Figure 37 Vega™ OCT B-Scans of scattering particles taken with LSM02, LSM03, LSM04 and LSM05 Thorlabs offers four objective lenses for different purposes. Figure 37 shows the difference in lateral resolution and depth of focus for the LSM02 (high-resolution imaging), LSM03 (general purpose), LSM04 (high depth of focus) and LSM05 (very high depth of focus).
  • Page 36 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation Please contact Thorlabs for more information on how to incorporate different objective lenses in your OCT system. Page 32 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 37: Imaging Through Refractive Media

    Thorlabs offers a special reference arm adapter to further increase the reference arm length, please contact Thorlabs’ OCT support (see Chapter 12) for more information.

  • Page 38: Reflecting Surfaces And Interfaces

    (e.g. a glass slide) to reduce scattering. Thorlabs offers sample z-spacers that provide a glass plate at a fixed distance to reduce scattering effects and to keep the sample in focus, please contact Thorlabs’ OCT support (see Chapter 12) for more information.

  • Page 39: Example Images

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation 4.5. Example Images Spectral Domain OCT can be used for a wide range of real-time monitoring applications in biological and clinical fields as well as in manufacturing and materials science. This technology is ideal for in-line industrial imaging applications ranging from laminated packaging films to 3D visualization of mechanical parts.
  • Page 40 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 4: System Operation Material Imaging SS-OCT can also be used for non-biological material science applications. SS-OCT is ideal for monitoring surface topography and layered structures. Figure 42 B-Scan of a Semi-Transparent Molded Plastic Cap Figure 43 B-Scan of a Laminated IR Card Biological Imaging Figure 44 B-Scan of a Section of a Grape...

  • Page 41: Chapter 5 Imaging Artifacts

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts Imaging Artifacts Chapter 5 5.1. Saturation and Non-Linearity OCT A-scan data is created by frequency analysis of the spectral data generated by the spectrometer. Intense reflection from the sample can saturate the sensor of the spectrometer or illuminate very close to saturation. This effect broadens the signal and leads to a nonlinear response.

  • Page 42: Multiple Scattering

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts Figure 46 Avoiding Strong Surface Reflection by Use of an Immersed Wedge When operating with a wedge, the image will be tilted in the direction of the wedge angle. When scanning in the orthogonal direction, no tilt occurs. 5.2.
  • Page 43 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts Figure 48 OCT Image Showing Multiple Scattering In the OCT image (see Figure 48), one can clearly see that the paper appears to be very thick. This apparent thickness is induced by the relatively long travel of photons that are scattered multiple times before finding their way back into the detecting aperture.

  • Page 44: Phase Wrapping And Fringe Washout

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts 5.3. Phase Wrapping and Fringe Washout The A-scan data created by the SD-OCT system is produced from spectral information of an optical interference. Depending on the system setting, a certain integration time is applied for acquisition of each A- scan.

  • Page 45: Flipped Image

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts 5.4. Flipped Image Without the introduction of additional techniques not provided by the standard SD-OCT system, there is no distinguishing between photons that traveled a distance d shorter or longer from the beam splitter to the sample compared to the reference arm length.

  • Page 46: Shadowing

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts 5.5. Shadowing Since SD-OCT imaging uses light for detection of depth information, this information can only be gleaned from photons exiting and reentering through the sampling aperture. Reflections, strong scattering and absorption lead to shadows in the depth distribution of the acquired data. Figure 52 Rendered Volume of a Screw on an IR Viewing Card Displaying the Shadowing Effect Page 42 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 47: Image Distortion By Refractive Media

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts 5.6. Image Distortion by Refractive Media OCT images display path length differences in between reference arm length and sample arm length (distance from the beam splitter to the scattering or reflecting object). These path lengths are optical path lengths, calculated from the physical path length multiplied by the group refractive index of the sample.

  • Page 48: The Group Refraction Index

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts The Group Refraction Index The principle of optical coherence tomography is the detection of optical path length differences between the two arms of an interferometer. The optical paths within these arms are defined by the mechanical path lengths and the refractive indices of the materials.

  • Page 49: Measurement Depth In Oct Systems

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts Measurement Depth in OCT Systems The spectral resolution of a frequency domain OCT system defines its possible measurement depth. This depth is the maximum detectable optical path length difference limited by the Nyquist criteria. In real materials the measurement depth of OCT systems as well as the axial resolution is reduced.

  • Page 50: Distortions In The Image

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts Distortions in the Image In complex structures distortions occur in the OCT image which require a close look to be understood. Figure 56 Different Materials in One Measurement The loss of imaging depth depends on the amount of material through which the beam passes. As a result the measured depth in the sample changes throughout the scan.
  • Page 51 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 5: Imaging Artifacts As an example a material with wedge is analyzed: Figure 57 Complex Structure in Image The block shows “standard” behavior on the right side where the surface is perpendicular to the incoming beam. In the chamfered area there is diffraction and the beam travels under an angle through the block.

  • Page 52: Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

    Distance to the Sample is too Short towards the top of the OCT image. Other Reason Call Thorlabs Flipped Image Reference Length Set Incorrectly Adjust Reference Length Table 4 Troubleshooting Please refer to Chapter 12 for Thorlabs contact information. Page 48 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 53: Changing The Input Fuses

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 6: Troubleshooting 6.1. Changing the Input Fuses If for some reason you need to replace a broken fuse in the base unit, you must perform the following procedure: • Remove the AC input cable that may be connected to the unit. •...

  • Page 54: Chapter 7 Certifications And Compliance

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 7: Certifications and Compliance Certifications and Compliance Chapter 7 7.1. Declaration of Conformity Vega™ Series Base Units Page 50 MTN013142-D02...
  • Page 55 SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 7: Certifications and Compliance Rev C, December 17, 2021 Page 51...

  • Page 56: Declaration Of Conformity Atria™ Series Base Units

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 7: Certifications and Compliance 7.2. Declaration of Conformity Atria™ Series Base Units Page 52 MTN013142-D02...

  • Page 57: Chapter 8 Warranty

    This repair charge will be quoted to the customer before the work is performed. 8.3. Warranty Exclusions All specific warranty and repair information can be found in the general terms and conditions located at https://www.thorlabs.com/Images/PDF/LG-PO-001_Thorlabs_terms_and_%20agreements.pdf. Rev C, December 17, 2021 Page 53...

  • Page 58: Chapter 9 Specifications

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 9: Specifications Specifications Chapter 9 General Performance Specifications – Vega™ and Atria™ Series Base Unit 100 V – 240 V / AC Supply Voltage for Base Unit Maximum Power Consumption 100 W Weight Base Unit < 10 kg Storage/Operating Temperature 10 °C to 35 °C Dimensions of OCT-Stand (L x W x H)

  • Page 59: Chapter 10 Mechanical Drawings

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 10: Mechanical Drawings Mechanical Drawings Chapter 10 Figure 59 Base Unit Dimensions Rev C, December 17, 2021 Page 55...

  • Page 60: Chapter 11 Regulatory

    11.1. Waste Treatment is Your Own Responsibility If you do not return an “end of life” unit to Thorlabs, you must hand it to a company specialized in waste recovery. Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin or at a public waste disposal site.

  • Page 61: Chapter 12 Thorlabs Oct Support Contact

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 12: Thorlabs OCT Support Contact Chapter 12 Thorlabs OCT Support Contact If you have a technical question or issue on Thorlabs OCT products, please refer directly to the OCT Support team located in Luebeck, Germany. OCT Support Thorlabs GmbH Maria-Goeppert-Straße 9...

  • Page 62: Chapter 13 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

    SS-OCT Base Unit Chapter 13: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts Chapter 13 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts For technical support or sales inquiries, please visit us at www.thorlabs.com/contact for our most up-to- date contact information. USA, Canada, and South America UK and Ireland Thorlabs, Inc.
  • Page 63 M0009-510-536-C...

This manual is also suitable for:

Atria series

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