Two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy using photonic crystal fiber

Abstract
We report the application of a simple yet powerful modular pulse compression system based on photonic crystal fibers that improves on incumbent two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy techniques. This system provides more than a sevenfold increase in fluorescence yield when compared with a commercial two-photon microscopy system. From this, we infer pulses of IR radiaton of less than 35 fs duration reaching the sample. © 2004 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.