3D‐Printed high‐NA catadioptric thin lens for suppression of XPM background in Stimulated Raman Scattering microscopy. Issue 5 (10th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bertoncini, Andrea; Laptenok, Sergey P.; Genchi, Luca; Rajamanickam, Vijayakumar P.; Liberale, Carlo
• Is Part Of: Journal of biophotonics. Volume 14:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-08-10
• Subjects: 3D printing -- micro‐optics -- multi‐photon microscopy -- stimulated Raman scattering microscopy; Photonics -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Medical instruments and apparatus -- Periodicals; 621.3605
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202000219
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-063X

Abstract

Abstract: Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) is a fast chemical imaging technique with remarkable bioscience applications. Cross Phase Modulation (XPM) is a ubiquitous nonlinear phenomenon that can create spurious background signals that render difficult a high‐contrast imaging in SRS measurements. The XPM‐induced signal is usually suppressed using high numerical aperture (NA) microscope objectives or condensers to collect the transmitted excitation beam. However, these high NA optics feature short working distances, hence they are not compatible with stage‐top incubators, that are necessary to perform live‐cell time‐lapse experiments in controlled environments. Here, we show a 3D printed high NA compact catadioptric lens that fits inside stage‐top incubators and allows the collection of XPM‐free SRS signals. The lens delivers SRS images and spectra with a quality comparable to a signal collection with a high‐NA microscope objective. We also demonstrate the compatibility of the 3D printed lens with other nonlinear microscopies usually associated with SRS in multimodal microscopes. Abstract : We present a 3D printed high‐NA catadioptric lens for forward signal collection in laser‐scanning microscopy. The lens can replace expensive and bulky high‐NA microscope objectives or condensers and is so thin to fit inside top‐stage microscope incubators. The lens is particularly beneficial in Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS), where a high‐NA beam collection is needed to avoid artifacts due to Cross Phase Modulation.