Selective excitation and suppression of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering by shaping femtosecond pulses

Femtosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering （CARS） suffers from poor selectivity between neighbouring Raman levels due to the large bandwidth of the femtosecond pulses. This paper provides a new method to realize the selective excitation and suppression of femtosecond CARS by manipulating both the probe and pump （or Stokes） spectra. These theoretical results indicate that the CARS signals between neighbouring Raman levels are differentiated from their indistinguishable femtosecond CARS spectra by tailoring the probe spectrum, and then their selective excitation and suppression can be realized by supplementally manipulating the pump （or Stokes） spectrum with the π spectral phase step.

Simultaneous measurements of global vibrational spectra and dephasing times of molecular vibrational modes by broadband time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectrography

In broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering （CARS） spectroscopy with supercontinuum （SC）, the simultaneously detectable spectral coverage is limited by the spectral continuity and the simultaneity of various spectral components of SC in an enough bandwidth. By numerical simulations, the optimal experimental conditions for improving the SC are obtained. The broadband time-resolved CARS spectrography based on the SC with required temporal and spectral distributions is realised. The global molecular vibrational spectrum with well suppressed nonresonant background noise can be obtained in a single measurement. At the same time, the measurements of dephasing times of various molecular vibrational modes can be conveniently achieved from intensities of a sequence of time-resolved CARS signals. It will be more helpful to provide a complete picture of molecular vibrations, and to exhibit a potential to understand not only both the solvent dynamics and the solute-solvent interactions, but also the mechanisms of chemical reactions in the fields of biology, chemistry and material science.

Selective excitation of molecular mode in a mixture by femtosecond resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy

Femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering （CARS） spectroscopy is used to investigate gaseous molecular dynamics. Due to the spectrally broad laser pulses, usually poorly resolved spectra result from this broad spectroscopy. However, it can be demonstrated that by the electronic resonance enhancement optimization control a selective excitation of specific vibrational mode is possible. Using an electronically resonance-enhanced effect, iodine molecule specific CARS spectroscopy can be obtained from a mixture of iodine-air at room temperature and a pressure of 1 atm （corresponding to a saturation iodine vapour as low as about 35 Pa）. The dynamics on either the electronically excited state or the ground state of iodine molecules obtained is consistent with previous studies （vacuum, heated and pure iodine） in the femtoseeond time resolved CARS spectroscopy, showing that an effective method of suppressing the non-resonant CARS background and other interferences is demonstrated.

High-resolution imaging of graphene by tip-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering(CARS)is able to enhance molecular signals by vibrational coherence compared to weak Raman signal.The surface or tip enhancement are successful technologies,which make it possible for Raman to detect single molecule with nanometer resolution.However,due to technical diffculties,tip-enhanced CARS(TECARS)is not as successful as expected.For single molecular detection,high sensitivity and resolution are two main challenges.Here,we reported the first single atom layer TECARS imaging on Graphene with the highest resolution about 20 nm,which has ever been reported.The highest EF_(TECARS/CARS) is about 10^(4),the similar order of magnitude with SECARS(EF of tip is usually smaller than that of substrates).Such resolution and sensitivity is promising for medical,biology and chemical applications in the future.

Coherent coupling between vibrational modes of C-H bonds at different positions studied by femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

We performed femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering （fs-CARS） measurements on liquid toluene and PVK film. For both samples, we selectively excited the CH stretching vibrational modes and observed the expected quantum beat signals. The frequency of the well-defined beats is in good agreement with the energy difference between the two simultaneously excited modes, which demonstrates that a coherent coupling between the vibrational modes of the C H chemical bonds exists at the different positions of the molecules. The dephasing times of the excited modes are obtained simultaneously.

Supercontinuum fiber laser-based coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy for label-free chemical imaging

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering(CA RS)microscopy can resolve the chemical compo-nents and distribution of living biological systems in a label-firee manner and is favored in several disciplines.Current CA RS microscopes typically use bulky,high-performance solid-state lasers,which are expensive and sensitive to environmental changes.With their relatively low cost and environmental sensitivity,supercontinum fiber(SF)lasers with a small footprint have found increasing use in biomedical applications.Upon these features,in this paper,we homebuilt a low-cost CARS microscope based on a SF laser module(scCA RS microscope).This SF laser module is specially customized by adding a time synchronized seed source channel to the SF laser to form a dual-channel output laser.The performance of the scCARS microscope is evaluated with dimethyl sulfoxide,whose results confirm a spatial resolution of better than 500nm and a detection sensitivity of millimolar concentrations.The dual-color imaging capability is further demonstrated by imaging different species of mixed microspheres.We finally explore the potential of our scCARS microscope by mapping lipid droplets in different cancer cells and corneal stromal lenses.

COHERENT ANTI-STOKES RAMAN SCATTERING MICROSCOPY TO MONITOR DRUG DISSOLUTION IN DIFFERENT ORAL PHARMACEUTICAL TABLETS

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering(CARS)microscopy is used to visualize the release of a model drug(theophylline)from a lipid(tripalmitin)based tablet during dissolution.The effects of transformation and dissolution of the drug are imaged in real time.This study reveals that the manufacturing process causes significant differences in the release process:tablets prepared from powder show formation of theophylline monohydrate on the surface which prevents a controlled drug release,whereas solid lipid extrudates did not show formation of monohydrate.This visualization technique can aid future tablet design.

Wide-Field Vibrational Phase Contrast Imaging Based on Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Holography

We propose and implement a wide-field vibrational phase contrast detection to obtain imaging of imaginary components of third-order nonlinear susceptibility in a coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering （CARS） microscope with full suppression of the non-resonant background. This technique is based on the unique ability of recovering the phase of the generated CARS signal based on holographic recording. By capturing the phase distributions of the generated CARS field from the sample and from the environment under resonant illumination, we demonstrate the retrieval of imaginary components in the CARS microscope and achieve background free coherent Raman imaging.

Theoretical and experimental investigations of coherent phonon dynamics in sapphire crystal using femto-second time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

We report on the theoretical and the experimental investigations of the coherent phonon dynamics in sapphire crystal using the femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering （fs-CARS） technique. The temporal chirped white-light continuum （WLC） is used for the Stokes pulse, therefore we can perform the selective excitation of the phonon modes without using a complicated laser system. The expected quantum beat phenomenon is clearly observed. The theoretical formulas consist very well with the experimental results. The dephasing times of the excited phonon modes, the wavenumber difference, and the phase shift between the simultaneously excited modes are obtained and discussed. This work opens up a way to study directly high-frequency coherent phonon dynamics in bulk crystals on a femtosecond time scale and is especially helpful for understanding the nature of coherent phonons.

Analysis of detection limit to time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering nanoscopy

In the implementation of CARS nanoscopy, signal strength decreases with focal volume size decreasing. A crucial problem that remains to be solved is whether the reduced signal generated in the suppressed focal volume can be detected. Here reported is a theoretical analysis of detection limit （DL） to time-resolved CARS （T-CARS） nanoscopy based on our proposed additional probe-beam-induced phonon depletion （APIPD） method for the low concentration samples. In order to acquire a detailed shot-noise limited signal-to-noise （SNR） and the involved parameters to evaluate DL, the T-CARS process is described with full quantum theory to estimate the extreme power density levels of the pump and Stokes beams determined by saturation behavior of coherent phonons, which are both actually on the order of ~ 109 W/cm2. When the pump and Stokes intensities reach such values and the total intensity of the excitation beams arrives at a maximum tolerable by most biological samples in a certain suppressed focal volume （40-nm suppressed focal scale in APIPD method）, the DL correspondingly varies with exposure time, for example, DL values are 103 and 102 when exposure times are 20 ms and 200 ms respectively.

Selective Excitation of Two-pulse Femtosecond Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering in a Mixture

In this paper, we experimentally study the selective excitation of two-pulse femtosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) in a mixture of dibromomethane (CH2Br2) and chloroform (CHCl3) by adaptive pulse shaping based on genetic algorithm. Second harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating (SHG-FROG) traces indicate that the spectral amplitude and phase of the optimal pulse are both modulated. Finally, we discuss the physical mechanism for the selective excitation of femtosecond CARS based on the retrieved information from SHG-FROG traces.

Simultons in Nonstationary CARS by Polaritons: Energy and Velocity

This paper is the continuation of our previous research in which we studied such aspects of CARS spectroscopy in dipole-active crystals by polaritons as the regimes of coherent simultaneous propagation of three waves (anti-Stokes, Stokes, and the pump field) to increase the efficiency of CARS as a spectroscopic method. In our previous research, we have shown the possibility of the existence of simultons at all frequencies of interacting waves. All interacting waves were supposed to be linearly polarised and plane, the medium was assumed to be nonmagnetic, and the medium was transparent at frequencies of anti-Stokes, Stokes, and the pump field (laser). The purpose of the present paper is to consider the energy carried by electromagnetic waves and its relationship with the gain factor and velocity of the simultons.

Stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for rapid brain tumor histology

Rapid histology of brain tissues with sufficient diagnostic information has the great potential to aid neurosurgons during operations.Stimulated Raman Scattering(SRS)microscopy is an emerging label-free imaging technique,with the intrinsic chemical resolutions to delineate brain tumors from normal tissues without the nood of time-consuming tissue processing.Growing number of studies have shown SRS as a“virtual histology"tool for rapid diagnosis of various types of brain tumors.In this review,we focus on the basic principles and current developments of SRS microscopy,as well as its applications for brain tumor imaging.

Computational coherent Raman scattering imaging:breaking physical barriers by fusion of advanced instrumentation and data science

Coherent Raman scattering(CRS)microscopy is a chemical imaging modality that provides contrast based on intrinsic biomolecular vibrations.To date,endeavors on instrumentation have advanced CRS into a powerful analytical tool for studies of cell functions and in situ clinical diagnosis.Nevertheless,the small cross-section of Raman scattering sets up a physical boundary for the design space of a CRS system,which trades off speed,signal fidelity and spectral bandwidth.The synergistic combination of instrumentation and computational approaches offers a way to break the trade-off.In this review,we first introduce coherent Raman scattering and recent instrumentation developments,then discuss current computational CRS imaging methods,including compressive micro-spectroscopy,computational volumetric imaging,as well as machine learning algorithms that improve system performance and decipher chemical information.We foresee a constant permeation of computational concepts and algorithms to push the capability boundary of CRS microscopy.

CARS技术及其在火炸药燃烧诊断中的应用

介绍了推进剂燃烧火焰的特点和CARS(CoherentAnti StokesRamanScattering)检测技术在推进剂燃烧诊断 (温度、浓度和燃烧机理研究 )中的应用。根据研究结果 ,论述了CARS技术在推进剂燃烧诊断应用中的几个关键问题 :准确度。

High enhancement factor of Au nano triangular prism structure for surface enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy（CARS） is a well-known detecting tool in biosensing and nonlinear spectroscopy. It can provide a non-invasive alternative without the need for exogenous labels,while the enhancement factor for surface plasmon resonances（SPR） are extensively used to increase the local field close to the oscillators and which can obtain high enhancement. In this work, we investigate the enhancement factor of our structure for surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering. The absorption spectrum of the structure has been studied, a wide range of absorption has been realized. The enhancement can be as high as 10^（16） over standard CARS. Our design is very useful for improving the enhancement factor of surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering.

泵浦光中有效频段对CARS信号选择激发作用的实验分析

运用基于遗传算法的自适应飞秒脉冲整形技术,实现了苯(C6H6,992 cm-1)和氘代苯(C6D6,945 cm-1)混合溶液中相干反斯托克斯(CARS)信号峰高分辨率的选择激发.谐波频率分辨光学开关(SHG-FROG)痕迹显示出飞秒CARS的选择激发主要是通过对泵浦光中与某待测振动模式相对应的有效频段的裁剪来实现的.通过在傅立叶平面对泵浦光进行频谱裁剪进一步在实验上验证了这一结论.该项研究成果对于进一步提高遗传算法搜索效率提供了重要思路.对于复杂分子系统飞秒CARS的选择激发研究具有深远意义.

基于CARS技术的超燃冲压发动机点火过程温度测量

相干anti-Stokes Raman散射(coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering,CARS)技术作为一种非接触测量手段,已广泛应用于多种发动机模型燃烧室温度测量及地面试验.然而,目前的工作主要集中在稳态燃烧场温度的测量,缺乏用高分辨率的单脉冲来测量瞬变的燃烧火焰温度及组分浓度的研究.基于CARS理论,结合多参数拟合算法,开发了基于MATLAB的CARS光谱计算和拟合程序CARSCF;利用McKenna平面火焰炉在不同工况下进行了温度测量,并与DLR测量结果进行对比,结果显示开发的CARSCF具有较高的测量重复性和准确性;最后将CARS技术应用于测量超燃冲压发动机点火过程中的温度测量,获取了点火过程中的温度.结果显示,在来流Mach数为3的条件下,H 2/air点火过程中温度呈现急剧上升然后缓慢下降,而CARS信号则呈现急剧上升然后急剧下降随后又缓慢上升的趋势,并且在点火过程中最高温度为1511 K.

Nonstationary CARS by Polaritons

One of the significant problems of molecular spectroscopy is the determination and detailed analysis of how molecular vibrations are dephased. The dephasing of infrared-active (IR-active) vibrations of molecules was investigated by IR absorption spectroscopy. Pulse methods were used to investigate IR-vibrations as well. These methods revealed such coherent nonstationary effects as optical nutation, damping of the free polarization, photon echo, etc. New means of studying dephasing processes were uncovered by the method of nonstationary (time-domain) coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy. However, there are some aspects of CARS that still are not fully covered. One of them is related to Raman scattering by polaritons in dipole-active crystals whereas the second one is the increase of efficiency of CARS (minimization of the wave mismatch, the relationship between pulse width and the relaxation time, etc.). The purpose of the present research to study the case of “extreme” coherency between all interacting pulses (the duration of each pulse is smaller than characteristic times and those pulses are traveling with the same speed) in dipole-active crystals. In this research, we analyzed the process of simultaneous propagation of three waves (anti-Stokes, Stokes, and the pump) under CARS by polaritons. We have found some solutions modeling such simultaneous propagation. We also found the expression for the gain factor for such scattering. The gain factor was evaluated under the assumption of a given stationary pump field. It was shown that the typical values of the relative intensities were consistent with the experimental results.

Nonlinear optical microscopy for skin in vivo:Basics,development and applications

Multi-photon microscopy(MPM)and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering(CARS)are two advanced nonlinear optical imaging techniques,which provide complementary information and have great potential in combination for noninvasive in vrito biomedical applications.This paper provides a detailed discussion of the basics,development and applications of these technologies for in vrivo skin research,covering the following topics:The principle and advantage of MPM and CARS,instrumentation development for in vino applications,MPM and CARS of normal skin,application of MPM and CARS in skin cancer and disease diagnosis;application of MPM in skin disease intervention,ie.,imaging guided two-photon photothermolysis.