Open AccessPotential of multi-photon upconversion emissions for fluorescence diffuse optical imaging
Author(s) -
Haichun Liu,
Cuilian Xu,
Stefan AnderssonEngels
Publication year - 2014
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.22.017782
Subject(s) - photon upconversion , optics , materials science , photon , image resolution , fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy , resolution (logic) , two photon excitation microscopy , fluorescence , optoelectronics , biological imaging , physics , doping , computer science , artificial intelligence
The spatial resolution of fluorescence molecular imaging is a critical issue for the success of the technique in biomedical applications. One important method for increasing the imaging resolution is to utilize multi-photon emissions. In this study, we thoroughly investigate the potential of the multi-photon upconversion emissions from rare-earth-doped upconverting nanoparticles for the improvement in spatial resolution of diffuse optical imaging. It is found that the imaging resolution is increased by a factor of 1.45 through employing two-photon upconversion emission compared with using the linear emission, and can be further elevated by a factor of 1.23 by using three-photon upconversion emission. In addition, we demonstrate that the pulsed excitation approach holds the promise of overcoming the low quantum yield associated with the high-order upconversion emissions.