Fully non-scanning three-dimensional imaging using an all-optical Hilbert transform enabled by an optical frequency comb

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that the precise phase controllability of an optical frequency comb enables all-optical signal processing for the first time. A novel all-optical Hilbert transform is presented with precise control of relative carrier-phase and envelope of optical pulse train based on frequency control utilizing an optical frequency comb. With the proposed all-optical signal processing method, fully non-scanning one-shot three-dimensional (3D) imaging can be realized with high image resolution. The technique can be applied to coherent phase imaging simultaneously. A precise pair of 90$^\circ$-phase-shifted optical pulses over the entire spectral bandwidth can be generated based on the precise optical phase controllability of an optical frequency comb, thereby facilitating a real-time and precise all-optical Hilbert transform to obtain amplitude and phase of optical signal in a single shot of ultrashort pulses. In our experiments, we realized single-shot 3D imaging with an uncertainty of 5 $\rm{\mu}$m and obtained a surface profile with a resolution of 200 $\times$ 200 pixels.