Optical parametric oscillator-based light source for coherent Raman scattering microscopy: practical overview

摘要

We present the assets and constraints of using optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) to perform pointnscanning nonlinear microscopy and spectroscopy with special emphasis on coherent Raman spectroscopy. Thendifterent possible configurations starting with one OPO and two OPOs are described in detail and with commentsnthat are intended to be practically useful for the user. Explicit examples on test samples such as nonlinearnorganic crystal, polystyrene beads, and fresh mouse tissues are given. Special emphasis is given to backgroundfreencoherent Raman anti-Stokes scattering (CARS) imaging, including CARS hyperspectral imaging in a fullynautomated mode with commercial OPOs.