Professor Xue Ping's research group has successfully developed a high-speed optical coherence tomography system based on photonic computing, capable of performing tens of millions of calculations per second - Department of Physics, Tsinghua University
**Abstract:** A research team led by Professor Ping Xue from the Department of Physics at Tsinghua University has successfully developed a novel high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) system based on optical computing, achieving a groundbreaking imaging speed of 10 million line scans per second. This development marks a significant leap in the field of OCT, a non-invasive, high-resolution optical imaging technique that is widely used in biology, medicine, and materials science. The new system addresses the critical bottleneck in data processing speed, which has long been constrained by the limitations of charge-coupled device (CCD) data acquisition and the computational capabilities of CPUs and GPUs. By integrating optical computing into the imaging process, the system can rapidly process large volumes of data containing detailed three-dimensional structural information, outputting clear images in real-time without any processing delays. This advancement not only enhances the imaging speed but also opens up new possibilities for real-time, high-definition 3D OCT imaging, which is particularly important for capturing fast-changing biological and medical processes. The research, titled "Optical computing for optical coherence tomography," was published in the Nature series journal, Scientific Reports, on November 21, 2016. The renowned Optical Coherence Tomography News (www.octnews.org) featured this work as the "feature of the week," highlighting its importance in the field. Previous notable research by Professor Xue's team, including studies on embryo cell imaging in 2012, a new type of ultrasonic endoscope probe in 2013, and a high-speed linearly swept laser in 2014, has also been recognized and featured by the same news outlet. The project received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Tsinghua University's research funding program. **Key Events:** - Development of a high-speed OCT system using optical computing. - Achievement of 10 million line scans per second, the fastest in the world. - Publication of the research in Scientific Reports. - Feature of the week on Optical Coherence Tomography News. **Key People:** - Professor Ping Xue: Leader of the research team. - Dr. Xiaozhang Zhang: Postdoctoral researcher and key contributor to the project. **Key Locations:** - Tsinghua University, Department of Physics: Where the research was conducted. **Time Elements:** - November 21, 2016: Date of publication in Scientific Reports. - 2012, 2013, 2014: Years when previous research by Professor Xue's team was featured. **Background and Significance:** Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful imaging technique that allows for non-invasive, high-resolution three-dimensional imaging of biological tissues and materials. Its applications span a wide range of fields, including medical diagnostics, biological research, and materials science. However, the speed of OCT imaging has been a limiting factor, especially for dynamic processes where rapid changes occur. Traditional OCT systems, which rely on CCD data acquisition and CPU or GPU processing, have reached a plateau in terms of imaging speed, typically around 100 frames per second. This limitation is primarily due to the time required for data acquisition and the computational power needed to process the large amount of data generated by each scan. **Innovative Solution:** Professor Ping Xue's team at Tsinghua University has introduced a revolutionary approach by incorporating optical computing into the OCT system. Optical computing leverages the properties of light to perform data processing tasks, which can be significantly faster than electronic methods. By designing a system that uses optical paths to process the data, the team has bypassed the constraints imposed by CCD acquisition times and the computational limits of CPUs and GPUs. This novel method allows for the real-time processing of vast amounts of data, enabling the system to output clear, high-resolution images at an unprecedented speed of 10 million line scans per second. **Technical Details:** The high-speed optical computing OCT system utilizes a unique optical setup that can perform complex calculations using light. This setup is capable of processing the interferometric signals generated during OCT imaging, extracting the three-dimensional structural information of the sample, and producing images in real-time. The system's speed and efficiency are achieved through the parallel processing capabilities of light, which can handle multiple data points simultaneously, unlike the sequential processing of electronic systems. **Impact:** The implications of this breakthrough are far-reaching. In medical applications, the ability to capture real-time, high-definition 3D images can significantly improve the diagnosis and monitoring of fast-changing conditions, such as blood flow in the retina or the movement of cells during surgery. In biological research, it can provide unprecedented insights into dynamic processes, such as the development of embryos or the behavior of cells in response to stimuli. Additionally, the technology can be applied to materials science, enabling the detailed examination of structures and defects in real-time. **Previous Work:** The success of this project is built on a foundation of previous research conducted by Professor Xue's team. In 2012, they developed advanced techniques for embryo cell imaging, which were recognized for their potential in improving in vitro fertilization procedures. In 2013, they created a new type of ultrasonic endoscope probe, enhancing the capabilities of endoscopic imaging. In 2014, they introduced a high-speed linearly swept laser, which significantly improved the speed and quality of OCT imaging. Each of these contributions has been featured as the "feature of the week" on Optical Coherence Tomography News, underscoring the team's consistent innovation in the field. **Funding:** The development of the high-speed optical computing OCT system was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Tsinghua University's research funding program. This financial backing has been crucial in enabling the team to push the boundaries of OCT technology and achieve this milestone. **Conclusion:** The research conducted by Professor Ping Xue's team at Tsinghua University represents a significant advancement in the field of optical coherence tomography. By integrating optical computing, they have overcome the traditional limitations of imaging speed, paving the way for real-time, high-resolution 3D imaging. This technology has the potential to transform medical diagnostics, biological research, and materials science, offering new opportunities for understanding and analyzing fast-changing processes. The recognition by Scientific Reports and Optical Coherence Tomography News further highlights the importance and impact of this work.
