Patent ID: 7280221
Filing Date: 2007-10-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An interferometer, comprising: a light source; an isolator coupled to the light source; polarization dependent optics coupled to the isolator; a reference arm connected to the polarization dependent optics; a sample arm connected to the polarization dependent optics; and one or more optical detectors coupled to the polarization dependent optics, wherein the polarization dependent optics couples light into the reference arm and the sample arm, receives reflected light from the reference arm and the sample arm, and provides light to the one or more optical detectors such that a polarization independent optical signal can be formed in an optical signal processing unit coupled to the one or more optical detectors, wherein the isolator blocks reflected light from the reference arm and the sample arm from entering the light source, wherein the isolator comprises a polarization dependent beam splitter, the polarization dependent beam splitter coupled to receive light from the light source and provide a beam of a first polarization, and wherein the polarization dependent optics comprises: