Simplified Near-Degenerate Four-Wave-Mixing Microscopy

Four-wave-mixing microscopy is widely researched in both biology and medicine. In this paper, we present a simplified near-degenerate four-wave-mixing microscopy (SNDFWM). An ultra-steep long-pass filter is utilized to produce an ultra-steep edge on the spectrum of a femtosecond pulse, and a super-sensitive four-wave-mixing (FWM) signal can be generated via an ultra-steep short-pass filter. Compared with the current state-of-the-art FWM microscopy, this SNDFWM microscopy has the advantages of simpler experimental apparatus, lower cost, and easier operation. We demonstrate that this SNDFWM microscopy has high sensitivity and high spatial resolution in both nanowires and biological tissues. We also show that the SNDFWM microscopy can achieve an ultra-sensitive detection based on the electron-resonance effect. This method might find an important application in tracking of nano drugs in vivo.

Automated summary

In this study, a simplified near-degenerate four-wave-mixing microscopy (SNDFWM) was developed with advantages of simpler experimental apparatus, lower cost, and easier operation. The SNDFWM microscopy demonstrated high sensitivity and high spatial resolution in both nanowires and biological tissues, and showed potential for ultra-sensitive detection based on the electron-resonance effect, which could be useful in tracking nano drugs in vivo.