Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is an innovative and new method of imaging in the biological and bimedical sciences
- Sensitivity to vibrations w ~ 500 to 3000 cm-1 enables chemically specific imaging
- Resonant non linear effect causes a strong signal
- High spatial resolution due to hte multi-photon nature of the effect
Benefits for Microscopy
- Blue shifted signal relative to excitation wavelengths à no spectral congestion
- Chemical selectivity: Can target species which are difficult to label with fluorophores
- No dyes à no bleaching, long term measurements possible
- No dyes à No phototoxicity à no physiological changes or cell death
- Real time imaging possible
- Emerald yield red-shifted CARS signal output: Less photodamage, deeper penetration
High Q Laser thanks Prof. Sunney Xie of Harvard University and his coworkers for pioneering CARS microscopy and providing the following images: |
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CARS image of the corpus collosum taken from a coronal section of fresh, untreated mouse brain at the CH2 lipid stretching vibration. The myelinated corpus collosum, which is rich in lipids, stands out brightly in the CARS image. Evans and Xu, et al. Optics Express, Submitted. |
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FM-CARS image of adipocytes in a white mouse ear showing lipid-rich contrast. |
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Laser used: picoEMERALD, EMERALD LEVANTE
