Code: ThOB	Time Slot/Poster Number: 10:30 - 11:00 am	Session: Raman Imaging II
Multi-modal CARS Microscopy Using a Simple Femtosecond Source
Albert Stolow
National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada
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Summary
We discuss a simplified CARS microscopy using a fs Ti:Sapphire laser source with a photonic crystal fibre. Optimally chirping the pulses achieves high quality multi-modal imaging of live cells and tissues. By simply controlling the input pulses, we achieve fast and continuous computer-controlled tuning of both the spectral resolution and Stokes shift over a broad range, without involving any adjustment of either the fs laser or the PCF. With this simple source, we additionally demonstrate (i) spectral scanning FM CARS; (ii) time-correlated photon counting FLIM-CARS.

Code: ThOB	Time Slot/Poster Number: 11:00 - 11:30 am	Session: Raman Imaging II
Coherent Raman spectroscopy with a fiber-format femtosecond oscillator
Giulio Cerullo; Marco Marangoni
Politecnico di Milano, Italy, Milano, Italy
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Summary
We demonstrate a new approach to coherent Raman spectroscopy and microscopy, in which multiple continuously tunable narrowband phase-coherent pulses are synthesized starting from femtosecond pulses emitted by a single highly compact fiber-format laser. Efficient spectral compression of the broadband pulses is achieved by intrapulse sum-frequency generation in thick nonlinear crystals. When applied to CARS/SRS, this technique provides a dramatic improvement of the setup in terms of compactness, simplicity and versatility. In particular, additional phase-coherent colours can be easily synthesized and applied either for simultaneous multiple-colour imaging, or for background suppression in CARS.

Code: ThOB	Time Slot/Poster Number: 11:30 - 11:50 am	Session: Raman Imaging II
Broadband CARS Microscopy: Noninvasive Chemical and Time-Resolved Imaging for Biology and Materials
Marcus Cicerone; Sapun Parekh; Khaled Aamer; Young Jong Lee
NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
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Summary
Broadband CARS possesses several desirable characteristics for non-invasively imaging chemically complex materials as well as biological cells and tissues, including high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, and significant potential for label-free chemical specificity. The latter requires spectral sensitivity over the “fingerprint” frequency range of (500 to 1800) cm-1. I will discuss broadband CARS signal generation and methods of extracting quantitative and time-resolved chemical information from broadband CARS spectral images of cells tissues and materials.

Code: ThOB	Time Slot/Poster Number: 11:50 am - 12:10 pm	Session: Raman Imaging II
In vivo Coherent Raman imaging for neuroscience applications
Daniel Cote
Universite Laval - CRULRG, Quebec, Canada
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Summary
The use of coherent Raman imaging is described for applications in neuroscience. Myelin imaging of the spinal cord can be performed with Raman imaging through the use of the vibration in carbon-hydrogen bonds, dominant in lipids. First, we demonstrate in vivo histomorphometry in live animal for characterization of myelin-related nervous system pathologies. This is used to characterize spinal cord health during multiple sclerosis. Second, Raman spectroscopy of tissue is discussed. We discuss the challenges that live animal imaging brings, together with important aspects of coherent Raman imaging in tissue.

Code: ThOB	Time Slot/Poster Number: 12:10 - 12:30 pm	Session: Raman Imaging II
Stimulated Raman photoacoustic imaging
Vladislav Yakovlev
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
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Summary
Stimulated Raman scattering combined with photoacoustic detection and imaging is a promising new way of expanding the capabilities of biomedical imaging modality by providing selective excitation of molecular species.