Combining multiphoton and CARS microscopy for skin imaging

Microscopic imaging based on multiphoton fluorescence, second harmonic generation (SHG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging has been realized in one common platform which is appropriate for use in hospitals. The different optical modalities non-invasively provide in vivo images from human skin with subcellular resolution, at different depths based on endogenous fluorescent, SHG-active molecules as well as non-fluorescent molecules with vibrational resonances at 2845 cm(-1), in particular lipids. An overview of the system employing a Ti: sapphire laser and photonic crystal fiber to generate the excitation light as well as several imaging examples are presented.