Open AccessThree-photon excitation source at 1250 nm generated in a dual zero dispersion wavelength nonlinear fiber
Author(s) -
Scott R. Domingue,
Randy A. Bartels
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.22.030777
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , photonic crystal fiber , dispersion (optics) , zero dispersion wavelength , fiber , self phase modulation , pulse duration , dispersion shifted fiber , pulse (music) , two photon excitation microscopy , wavelength , nonlinear optics , optical fiber , optoelectronics , fluorescence , physics , fiber optic sensor , laser , detector , composite material
We demonstrate 1250 nm pulses generated in dual-zero dispersion photonic crystal fiber capable of three-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy. The total power conversion efficiency from the 28 fs seed pulse centered at 1075 nm to pulses at 1250 nm, including coupling losses from the nonlinear fiber, is 35%, with up to 67% power conversion efficiency of the fiber coupled light. Frequency-resolved optical gating measurements characterize 1250 nm pulses at 0.6 nJ and 2 nJ, illustrating the change in nonlinear spectral phase accumulation with pulse energy even for nonlinear fiber lengths < 50 mm. The 0.6 nJ pulse has a 26 fs duration and is the shortest nonlinear fiber derived 1250 nm pulse yet reported (to the best of our knowledge). The short pulse durations and energies make these pulses a viable route to producing light at 1250 nm for multiphoton microscopy, which we we demonstrate here, via a three-photon excitation fluorescence microscope.