Multimodal nonlinear microscope based on a compact fiber-format laser source

•An innovative multimodal non-linear optical laser-scanning microscope is presented.•It combines CARS, SRS and TPEF modalities on a single platform.•Built with off-the-shelf components, it is flexible, accessible and re-configurable.•It employs a compact fiber-format laser, as required for mainstream biomedical uses.

We present a multimodal non-linear optical (NLO) laser-scanning microscope, based on a compact fiber-format excitation laser and integrating coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-photon-excitation fluorescence (TPEF) on a single platform. We demonstrate its capabilities in simultaneously acquiring CARS and SRS images of a blend of 6-μm poly(methyl methacrylate) beads and 3-μm polystyrene beads. We then apply it to visualize cell walls and chloroplast of an unprocessed fresh leaf of Elodea aquatic plant via SRS and TPEF modalities, respectively. The presented NLO microscope, developed in house using off-the-shelf components, offers full accessibility to the optical path and ensures its easy re-configurability and flexibility.

Graphical AbstractDownload high-res image (467KB)Download full-size image