Second harmonic generation microscopy: principles and applications to disease diagnosis

In this review, the authors discuss the underlying principles of SHG and specific factors that affect the generation properties and describe the essential components of a SHG instrument. In addition, results on the recent progress and impact SHG microscopy has made in different areas of biology and medicine are presented. In particular, the authors focus on disease diagnosis and basic research associated with connected tissues, musculo‐skeletal disorders, and epithelial cancers. The presentation is concluded by offering a perspective on the future technical development of SHG microscopy and additional forefronts to be addressed.