Enhancing Two-Photon Microscopy
Two-photon microscopy has many advantages over conventional microscopy including: minimal photo-bleaching effect and sample damage, higher imaging depth of live cells, higher excitation efficiency, and simultaneous excitation of multiple fluorophores with the promotion of autofluorescence.
Ultrashort (<10 fs) pulses enhance the two-photon microscopy technique. The peak power for a given average output is much higher in ultrashort pulses, resulting in reduced scattering. This leads to deeper imaging, higher fluorescence efficiency and improved image contrast. As the pulses enable a highly localised excitation of the sample, this reduces sample exposure to damaging energy, meaning reduced photo-bleaching.
Having a broad spectral output covering the complete Ti:Sapphire emission range between 640 nm and 1100 nm allows for multiple dye excitation and the promotion of autofluorescence without needing a tuneable laser — an important factor for those looking at live biological samples.
The venteon ultra produced by Laser Quantum brings the capability of <5 fs transform-limited pulses thus offering the benefits of enhanced excitation efficiency and direct excitation of multiple fluorophores due to the broad spectral output.
To request more information or a quotation for this or other Laser Quantum products, contact IL Photonics.