Nonlinear optical microscopy and spectroscopy by pulse shaping of a coherent fiber supercontinuum

Liu, Yuan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/78700 Copy

Description

Title

Nonlinear optical microscopy and spectroscopy by pulse shaping of a coherent fiber supercontinuum

Author(s)

Liu, Yuan

Issue Date

2015-01-14

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Boppart, Stephen A.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Boppart, Stephen A.

Committee Member(s)

• Gruebele, Martin
• Toussaint, Kimani C.
• Myong, Su-A

Department of Study

Bioengineering

Discipline

Bioengineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• breast cancer
• coherent fiber supercontinuum
• pulse shaping
• nonlinear optical spectroscopy
• Nonlinear optical microscopy

Abstract

Nonlinear optical microscopy and spectroscopy enable three-dimensional sub-µm-resolution imaging with deeper penetration and reduced photodamage, and have been established as powerful methods in biomedicine. The most appealing aspect of nonlinear optical imaging is the wealth of molecular contrast derived from various multiphoton processes. Two-photon and three-photon fluorescence microscopy visualizes endogenous fluorophores. Second and third harmonic generation microscopy maps optical non-centrosymmetry and heterogeneity. Coherent Raman scattering spectroscopic imaging probes intrinsic molecular vibrations. An integrated platform with combined modalities realizes label-free imaging of diverse biomolecules, and is highly desirable for biomedical fields. However, bringing these techniques together is not trivial due to the complexity of laser and imaging systems, and the requirements of modalities need to be met and often compromised. These limitations have hindered the biological application and clinical translation of the technology. In this thesis, multimodal nonlinear optical imaging by pulse shaping of a coherent fiber supercontinuum is demonstrated and applied to breast cancer research. The supercontinuum is generated in an all-normal-dispersion fiber, achieving a spectrum spanning the optical biological window with high coherence and high power. Efficient two-photon and three-photon fluorescence microscopy, second and third harmonic generation microscopy, as well as coherent anti-Stoke Raman scattering spectroscopic imaging are performed by adaptive pulse shaping of the supercontinuum pulses. Different molecules and structures in normal and cancerous human breast tissues are visualized, and the complimentary multiphoton signals and the vibrational spectrum form a complete molecular profile for analyzing the biochemical composition in situ. Using this approach, mammary tumor development in a carcinogen-induced rat model is investigated in a 9-week longitudinal study. Multiphoton molecular biomarkers and their transformation, such as regulated cellularity, collagen organization, elastin organization, angiogenesis, lipid degradation, and distribution of microvesicles are identified and correlated by multimodal imaging. The proposed technology presents simplicity and applicability, and may have a broader impact in biomedical research and fundamental science.

Graduation Semester

2015-5

Type of Resource

text

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Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2015 Yuan Liu

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