Open AccessHigh-resolution infrared imaging of biological samples with third-order sum-frequency generation microscopy
Author(s) -
Adam M. Hanninen,
Richard C. Prince,
Raúl Ramos,
Maksim V. Plikus,
Eric O. Potma
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.9.004807
Subject(s) - microscopy , raman spectroscopy , raman scattering , sum frequency generation , optics , infrared microscopy , resolution (logic) , infrared , materials science , image resolution , chemical imaging , laser , hyperspectral imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance , nonlinear optics , physics , remote sensing , artificial intelligence , computer science , geology
We studied the use of vibrationally resonant, third-order sum-frequency generation (TSFG) for imaging of biological samples. We found that laser-scanning TSFG provides vibrationally sensitive imaging capabilities of lipid droplets and structures in sectioned tissue samples. Although the contrast is based on the infrared-activity of molecular modes, TSFG images exhibit a high lateral resolution of 0.5 µ m or better. We observed that the imaging properties of TSFG resemble the imaging properties of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, offering a nonlinear infrared alternative to coherent Raman methods. TSFG microscopy holds promise as a high-resolution imaging technique in the fingerprint region where coherent Raman techniques often provide insufficient sensitivity.