Optimal SU(1,1) interferometer configuration for high-resolution OCT

Determine the optimum configuration of a SU(1,1)-based Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography system for achieving high-resolution imaging in both the transverse and longitudinal directions with short detection times, including the appropriate strategy for enhancing the idler-photon flux probing the sample.

Background

The paper compares seeded SU(1,1) interferometry in the low-parametric-gain regime with unseeded operation in the high-parametric-gain regime. Seeding increases the idler-photon flux while permitting the use of accessible continuous-wave lasers, whereas high parametric gain can potentially provide quantum-enhanced sensitivity but generally requires technically demanding pulsed pumping.

The authors leave unresolved the broader optimization problem of selecting the best SU(1,1) configuration when high transverse and longitudinal resolution and short acquisition times must be achieved simultaneously. This problem involves balancing photon flux, spectral bandwidth, sensitivity, detector requirements, and experimental complexity.