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Measurement of Scattering Nonlinearities from a Single Plasmonic Nanoparticle
Published on: January 3, 2016
Surface plasmon-assisted widefield non-linear imaging of gold structures
C Qian1, T S Velinov, M C Pitter
1Institute of Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Sciences (IBIOS), School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. eexcq@nottingham.ac.uk
Journal of Microscopy
|January 5, 2008
Summary
Surface plasmon resonance enables cost-effective widefield non-linear microscopy. This method simplifies advanced imaging, moving beyond traditional laser-scanning techniques for enhanced optical field analysis.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Microscopy
Background:
- Non-linear microscopy typically relies on complex and expensive laser-scanning systems.
- Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) offers a method for optical field confinement and enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a simple, cost-effective widefield non-linear microscopy configuration using SPR.
- To compare SPR-enhanced widefield imaging with traditional laser-scanning methods.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing surface plasmon resonance to confine and enhance optical fields.
- Implementing a widefield microscopy setup, avoiding laser-scanning arrangements.
- Acquiring second harmonic and two-photon luminescence images of dielectric and gold samples.
Main Results:
- Successful generation of widefield non-linear microscopy images using SPR.
- Demonstrated feasibility with both prism-based and high numerical aperture objective ('prismless') configurations.
- Obtained clear second harmonic and two-photon luminescence images of various samples.
Conclusions:
- SPR provides a viable and economical approach for widefield non-linear microscopy.
- This technique offers a simpler alternative to laser-scanning systems for advanced imaging applications.
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