Nonlinear optical microscopies: physical principle and applications

Abstract

We built optical and spectral analysis instruments of ultrasensitive nonlinear optical microscopies (NLOMs), in which coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), second harmonic generation (SHG), and two photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) were combined together as an integrated optical instrument for optical and spectral analysis and characterization. NLOMs have been applied in spectral analysis and optical characterizations on 2D materials, 3D materials and biological evolution. In this article, we begin by reviewing the advantages of home-made optical instruments on spectral and image aspects, focusing on the physical principle and the instrument’s unique optical properties. Second, we summarize the recent scientific progress regarding NLOM on CARS, TPEF and SHG on 2D materials, 3D materials and biological evolution. Our review does not only promote a deeper understanding of the physical mechanism and instrumental principle, but may also be useful for pointing to some of the potential applications of NLOM on 2D and 3D materials.

Keywords:

• Nonlinear optical microscopies (NLOMs)
• coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS)
• second harmonic generation (SHG)
• two photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF)

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NSFC-BRICS STI Framework Program (No. 51861145309), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91436102, 11374353 and 11874084), the fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, the Scientific Research Fund of Liaoning Provincial Education Department (LQN201708).