Optimization of second-harmonic generation microscopy

✍ Scribed by R. Gauderon; P.B. Lukins; C.J.R. Sheppard

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 464 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0968-4328
• DOI: 10.1016/s0968-4328(00)00066-4

✦ Synopsis

We describe the principles and characteristics of second-harmonic generation imaging (SHGI) and explore various methods for optimization of the technique. Second-harmonic imaging is optimized for ultrashort laser pulses, high numerical aperture microscope objectives, a highly sensitive non-descanned large area detector, pseudo-phase-matching, and specimens with large second-order non linearity or which exhibit surface plasmon enhanced phenomena. We also compare and contrast the techniques of SHGI and two-photon excited ¯uorescence imaging.