The Emergence of Multimodal NLO
Multimodal nonlinear optical (NLO) imaging is a microscopy approach used in a variety of biomedical applications. It harnesses and integrates the unique capabilities of nonlinear processes such as multiphoton fluorescence, second- and third-harmonic generation (SHG and THG), and coherent Raman scattering (CRS) and combines them seamlessly into a single, unified microscopy platform. A combination of label-based and label-free imaging modalities enables simultaneous acquisition of complementary structural information within individual cells and elucidates the health of biological tissue at the submicron level.
The emergence of multimodal NLO imaging has been facilitated by advances in ultrafast laser technology; high-performance specialized optical filters; and high-sensitivity detectors.