Optimally chirped multimodal CARS microscopy based on a single Ti: sapphire oscillator

We demonstrate high performance coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering ( CARS) microscopy of live cells and tissues with user-variable spectral resolution and broad Raman tunability ( 2500 - 4100 cm(-1)), using a femtosecond Ti: Sapphire pump and photonic crystal fiber output for the broadband synchronized Stokes pulse. Spectral chirp of the fs laser pulses was a user-variable parameter for optimization in a spectral focussing implementation of multimodal CARS microscopy. High signal-to-noise, high contrast multimodal imaging of live cells and tissues was achieved with pixel dwell times of 2-8 mu s and low laser powers (< 30 mW total). (c) 2009 Optical Society of America