PT Journal
AU Mohan, N
   Minaeva, O
   Gol'tsman, GN
   Nasr, MB
   Saleh, BE
   Sergienko, AV
   Teich, MC
TI Photon-counting optical coherence-domain reflectometry using superconducting single-photon detectors
SO Opt. Express
JI Opt. Express
PY 2008
BP 18118
EP 18130
VL 16
IS 22
DI 10.1364/oe.16.018118
DE SSPD; SNSPD
AB We consider the use of single-photon counting detectors in coherence-domain imaging. Detectors operated in this mode exhibit reduced noise, which leads to increased sensitivity for weak light sources and weakly reflecting samples. In particular, we experimentally demonstrate the possibility of using superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for optical coherence-domain reflectometry (OCDR). These detectors are sensitive over the full spectral range that is useful for carrying out such imaging in biological samples. With counting rates as high as 100 MHz, SSPDs also offer a high rate of data acquisition if the light flux is sufficient.
ER