Open AccessAll-fiber laser source for CARS microscopy based on fiber optical parametric frequency conversion
Author(s) -
Martin Baumgartl,
Mario Chemnitz,
César Jáuregui,
Tobias Meyer,
Benjamin Dietzek,
Jürgen Popp,
Jens Limpert,
Andreas Tünnermann
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.004484
Subject(s) - optics , fiber laser , materials science , laser , fiber , optical fiber , photonic crystal fiber , optoelectronics , physics , composite material
A novel approach for an all-fiber mono-laser source for CARS microscopy is presented. An Yb-fiber laser generates 100 ps pulses, which later undergo narrowband in-fiber frequency conversion based on degenerate four-wave-mixing. The frequency conversion is optimized to access frequency shifts between 900 and 3200cm-1, relevant for vibrational imaging. Inherently synchronized pump and Stokes pulses are available at one fiber end, readily overlapped in space and time. The source is applied to CARS spectroscopy and microscopy experiments in the CH-stretching region around 3000cm-1. Due to its simplicity and maintenance-free operation, the laser scheme holds great potential for bio-medical applications outside laser laboratories.