Synchronization for Two Passively Mode-Locked, PS Lasers Within 20 fs for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy

Published

August 1, 2002

Author(s)

D J. Jones, E Potma, J X. Cheng, B Burfeindt, Y Pang, Jun Ye, X. Xie

Abstract

We report on the synchronization of two commercial picosecond Ti: sapphire lasers with unprecedented low temporal jitter between the pulsetrains. Pulse jitter is reduced from a few picoseconds to 20 femtoseconds with a stability of several hours. The technology enabling the tightpulse synchronization is reviewed in this paper. We demonstrate the usefulness of the synchronization scheme by applying the techniquecoherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy (CARS). It is shown that CARS images can be acquired with a significant improvementin signal-to-noise ratio. This level of peTfornmce brings the fluctuations of the CARS signal down to the fundamental photon shot-noise limit.We present detafled statistical analysis along with enhanced CARS vibrational images of polymer beads.

Citation

Review of Scientific Instruments

Volume

73

Issue

No. 8

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

CARS, imaging, ultrafast

Citation

Jones, D. , Potma, E. , Cheng, J. , Burfeindt, B. , Pang, Y. , Ye, J. and Xie, X. (2002), Synchronization for Two Passively Mode-Locked, PS Lasers Within 20 fs for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy, Review of Scientific Instruments (Accessed October 10, 2025)