Sub-40fs, 1060-nm Yb-fiber laser enhances penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of human skin.

Mihaela Balu,Marcos Dantus,Jue Hou,Bruce J Tromberg,Ilyas Saytashev

doi:10.1117/1.jbo.20.12.120501

Mihaela Balu, Marcos Dantus + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.jbo.20.12.120501

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Abstract

.Advancing the practical utility of nonlinear optical microscopy requires continued improvement in imaging depth and contrast. We evaluated second‐harmonic generation (SHG) and third‐harmonic generation images from ex vivo human skin and showed that a sub‐40 fs, 1060‐nm Yb‐fiber laser can enhance SHG penetration depth by up to 80% compared to a , 800 nm Ti:sapphire source. These results demonstrate the potential of fiber‐based laser systems to address a key performance limitation related to nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) technology while providing a low‐barrier‐to‐access alternative to Ti:sapphire sources that could help accelerate the movement of NLOM into clinical practice.

Highlights

Advancing the practical utility of nonlinear optical microscopy requires continued improvement in imaging depth and contrast
We evaluated second-harmonic generation (SHG) and third-harmonic generation images from ex vivo human skin and showed that a sub-40 fs, 1060-nm Yb-fiber laser can enhance SHG penetration depth by up to 80% compared to a >100 fs, 800 nm Ti:sapphire source
These results demonstrate the potential of fiber-based laser systems to address a key performance limitation related to nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) technology while providing a low-barrier-to-access alternative to Ti:sapphire sources that could help accelerate the movement of NLOM into clinical practice. © The Authors

Summary

Introduction

Advancing the practical utility of nonlinear optical microscopy requires continued improvement in imaging depth and contrast. We evaluated second-harmonic generation (SHG) and third-harmonic generation images from ex vivo human skin and showed that a sub-40 fs, 1060-nm Yb-fiber laser can enhance SHG penetration depth by up to 80% compared to a >100 fs, 800 nm Ti:sapphire source.

Results

Conclusion