Abstract: A method for optical super-multiplexing using polyynes to provide enhanced images from stimulated Raman microscopy is disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments, the polyynes are organelle-targeted or spectral barcoded. Imaging can be enhanced by using the polyynes to image whole live cells or specific organelles within live cells. The polyynes can also be used in optical data storage (i.e., encoding) and identification (i.e., decoding) applications.