Time-gated imaging for multifocus second-harmonic generation microscopy

We developed a scanning second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscope with a time-gated image intensifier. The combination of a microlens array scanner and the gated image intensifier allows us to perform simultaneous time-resolved detection of SHG at multiple positions in a sample. By tuning the time delay of the gated detection from pulsed laser illumination by a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser, background noise originating from the image intensifier dark current, fluorescence from the sample, and stray light are effectively reduced. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.