Laser illumination systems and methods for dual-excitation wavelength non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy systems
An illumination system is disclosed for providing dual-excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy. The illumination system includes a laser system, an optical splitting means, a frequency shifting system, and a picosecond amplifier system. The laser system includes a laser for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ω 1 . The optical splitting means divides the first train of pulses at the center optical frequency ω 1 into two trains of pulses. The frequency shifting system shifts the optical frequency of one of the two trains of pulses to provide a frequency shifted train of pulses. The picosecond amplifier system amplifies the frequency shifted train of pulses to provide an amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses having a pulse duration of at least 0.5 picoseconds.
1. An illumination system for providing dual-excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy, said illumination system comprising:
a laser system including a laser for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ω 1 ;
an optical splitting means for dividing the first train of pulses at the center optical frequency ω 1 into a first split train of pulses and a second split train of pulses;
a frequency shifting system for shifting the optical frequency of the first split train of pulses to provide a frequency shifted train of pulses;
an amplifier system for amplifying the frequency-shifted train of pulses to provide an amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses;
combining means for combining the amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses with the second split trains of pulses to provide the amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses and the second split trains of pulses as a collinear train of laser pulses for the dual-excitation wavelength illumination; and
adjustment means for adjusting a time delay between the amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses and the second split train of pulses.
2. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said frequency shifting system includes a highly non-linear fiber.
3. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said amplifier system includes a narrowband filter.
4. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said amplifier system includes a plurality of amplifier systems in series.
5. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said amplifier system includes a chirped amplifier system.
6. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said chirped amplifier system includes a chirp unit and an amplifier.
7. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said chirped amplifier system further includes a broadband filter.
8. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a chirp means for adjusting the chirp of the second split train of pulses from the optical splitting means.
9. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a second amplifier system for amplifying the second split train of pulses.
10. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein an output of the second laser amplifier system is frequency doubled (SHG) or tripled (THG).
11. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said amplifier system is one of an Erbium fiber amplifier, a Ytterbium fiber amplifier, a Thulium fiber amplifier, and a Holmium fiber amplifier.
12. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said laser system is one of a Ytterbium fiber laser and an Erbium fiber laser.
13. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said laser system is a Titanium Sapphire laser.
14. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said amplifier system is one of an Erbium fiber amplifier, a Ytterbium fiber amplifier, a Thulium fiber amplifier, and a Holmium fiber amplifier.
15. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the output of the amplifier system is frequency doubled (SHG) or tripled (THG).
16. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second split train of pulses from the optical splitting means is frequency doubled (SHG) or tripled (THG).
17. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said illumination system is provided in a dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy or micro-spectroscopy system.
18. The dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system of claim 17 , wherein said dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system includes balanced detectors.
19. The dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system of claim 17 , wherein said dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system performs Coherent Anti-Stoke Raman Scattering microscopy or micro-spectroscopy.
20. The dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system of claim 17 , wherein said dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system performs Stimulated Raman Scattering microscopy or micro-spectroscopy.
21. The dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system of claim 17 , wherein said dual-excitation wavelength nonlinear microscopy system performs two-color two-photon microscopy or micro-spectroscopy.