Crossed-beam pump-probe microscopy

Jun Jiang,Warren S Warren,Martin C Fischer

doi:10.1364/oe.389004

Abstract

We present a new imaging method for pump-probe microscopy that explores non-collinear excitation. This method (crossed-beam pump-probe microscopy, or CBPM) can significantly improve the axial resolution when imaging through low-NA lenses, providing an alternative way for depth-resolved, large field-of-view imaging. We performed a proof-of-concept demonstration, characterized CBPM's resolution using different imaging lenses, and measured an enhanced axial resolution for certain types of low-NA lenses.

Highlights

Pump-probe microscopy is a specific implementation of nonlinear microscopy that can measure transient absorption processes like two-photon absorption, excited state absorption, stimulated emission, ground state depletion, and stimulated Raman scattering (Fig. 1(a)) for structural and functional imaging
The spatial resolution is determined by the effective numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens, and can be estimated using the equations derived for two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy [7]: 0.38λ
4.2 Compare the axial resolution enhancement of different lenses Above we experimentally demonstrated the principles of crossed-beam pump-probe microscope (CBPM) using a high-quality, high-NA microscope objective

Summary

Introduction

Pump-probe microscopy is a specific implementation of nonlinear microscopy that can measure transient absorption processes like two-photon absorption, excited state absorption, stimulated emission, ground state depletion, and stimulated Raman scattering (Fig. 1(a)) for structural and functional imaging. NA lenses, we propose a pump-probe imaging method that utilizes crossed beams (Fig. 1(d)). 2. Use crossed beams to improve axial resolution In pump-probe imaging, the acquired signal scales with the product of the pump and probe intensities [2].

Results

Conclusion