Label-free imaging of thick tissue at 1550 nm using a femtosecond optical parametric generator

Trägårdh, J., Robb, G., Gadalla, K.K.E. , Cobb, S., Travis, C., Oppo, G.-L. and McConnell, G. (2015) Label-free imaging of thick tissue at 1550 nm using a femtosecond optical parametric generator. Optics Letters, 40(15), p. 3484. (doi: 10.1364/ol.40.003484) (PMID:26258338)

Abstract

We have developed a simple wavelength-tunable optical parametric generator (OPG), emitting broadband ultrashort pulses with peak wavelengths at 1530–1790 nm, for nonlinear label-free microscopy. The OPG consists of a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, pumped at 1064 nm by a ultrafast Yb:fiber laser with high pulse energy. We demonstrate that this OPG can be used for label-free imaging, by third-harmonic generation, of nuclei of brain cells and blood vessels in a >150  μm thick brain tissue section, with very little decay of intensity with imaging depth and no visible damage to the tissue at an incident average power of 15 mW.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cobb, Dr Stuart and Gadalla, Dr Kamal
• Authors: Trägårdh, J., Robb, G., Gadalla, K.K.E., Cobb, S., Travis, C., Oppo, G.-L., and McConnell, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Optics Letters
• Publisher: Optical Society of America
• ISSN: 0146-9592
• ISSN (Online): 1539-4794