Functional photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy using a stabilized temperature-regulated stimulated Raman...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Microscopy
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) is crucial for generating multiwavelength light in functional photoacoustic microscopy, enabling targeted chromophore imaging.
• However, SRS sources suffer from pulse-to-pulse fluctuations and power drift, compromising image quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel technique for enhancing the temporal stability of pulsed SRS multiwavelength sources.
• To investigate the effect of temperature reduction on SRS output characteristics and imaging performance.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a temperature-lowering method for the SRS medium.
• Evaluated the temporal stability, intensity, and cross-section of the SRS output.
• Applied the improved SRS source for in vivo functional imaging of capillary networks.

Main Results:

• Decreasing the SRS medium temperature significantly improved output temporal stability.
• Observed a considerable rise in SRS peak intensity and a significant increase in the SRS cross-section.
• Successfully demonstrated in vivo functional imaging of chicken embryo vasculature.

Conclusions:

• Temperature reduction is an effective strategy to enhance the stability and intensity of pulsed SRS multiwavelength sources.
• This method improves image quality for applications like photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy.
• The technique holds promise for advanced in vivo functional imaging of biological tissues.