Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed for providing dual excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy. The illumination system includes a laser system for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?1, a frequency converting system for providing at least a second train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?2 and a third train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?3, where ?2 is different from ?1 and ?3 responsive to the first train of pulses, an amplifier system for amplifying the second train of pulses to provide an amplified second train of pulses, and an adjustment means for adjusting a time delay between the amplified second train of pulses and the third train of pulses for the dual-excitation wavelength illumination.

Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed for providing dual-excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy. The illumination system includes a laser system, an optical splitting means, a frequency shifting system, and a picosecond amplifier system. The laser system includes a laser for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?1. The optical splitting means divides the first train of pulses at the center optical frequency ?1 into two trains of pulses. The frequency shifting system shifts the optical frequency of one of the two trains of pulses to provide a frequency shifted train of pulses. The picosecond amplifier system amplifies the frequency shifted train of pulses to provide an amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses having a pulse duration of at least 0.5 picoseconds.

Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed for providing dual-excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy. The illumination system includes a laser system, an optical splitting means, a frequency shifting system, and a picosecond amplifier system. The laser system includes a laser for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?1. The optical splitting means divides the first train of pulses at the center optical frequency ?1 into two trains of pulses. The frequency shifting system shifts the optical frequency of one of the two trains of pulses to provide a frequency shifted train of pulses. The picosecond amplifier system amplifies the frequency shifted train of pulses to provide an amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses having a pulse duration of at least 0.5 picoseconds.

Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed for providing dual-excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy. The illumination system includes a laser system, an optical splitting means, a frequency shifting system, and a picosecond amplifier system. The laser system includes a laser for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?1. The optical splitting means divides the first train of pulses at the center optical frequency ?1 into two trains of pulses. The frequency shifting system shifts the optical frequency of one of the two trains of pulses to provide a frequency shifted train of pulses. The picosecond amplifier system amplifies the frequency shifted train of pulses to provide an amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses having a pulse duration of at least 0.5 picoseconds.

Abstract: A microscopy or micro-spectroscopy system is disclosed that includes a first light source, a second light source, a modulator, an optical assembly and a processor. The first light source is for providing a first illumination field at a first optical frequency ?1 and the second light source is for providing a second illumination field at a second optical frequency ?2. The modulator is for modulating a property of the second illumination field at a modulation frequency f of at least 100 kHz to provide a modulated second illumination field. The optical assembly includes focusing optics and an optical detector system. The focusing optics is for directing and focusing the first illumination field and the modulated second illumination field through an objective lens toward the common focal volume along an excitation path.