SBIR Phase I: Dual-Wavelength Picosecond Fiber Laser Source for Label-Free Microscopy

SBIR 第一阶段：用于无标记显微镜的双波长皮秒光纤激光源

• 批准号: 1214848
• 负责人: Christian Freudiger
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Invenio
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-07-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1214848&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Dual; Wavelength; Picosecond

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a laser source for label-free microscopy technique, in particular coherent Raman scattering (CRS) microscopy. In contrast to other techniques, CRS requires excitation with two synchronized laser pulse trains (picosecond pulse duration) with a difference frequency that can be tuned to the precision of a typical line width of Raman spectra (1nm). The key innovation of the proposal is the realization that the difference frequency of the two major gain media used in the telecommunication industry, Erbium (Er) and Ytterbium (Yb), corresponds to the high-wavenumber region of Raman spectra, where most CRS imaging is performed. Based on recent advances in robust all-fiber design, the application proposes to develop a novel dual-color Er-Yb-laser-system based on optical synchronization of two picosecond power amplifiers using super-continuum generation. While this could provide an elegant, economical laser source for CRS, the physics associated with the required high peak powers in fibers is challenging. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is in the area of biological and material science research, and ultimately medical diagnostics. CRS allows microscopic imaging with chemical contrast based on intrinsic spectroscopic properties of the sample. It circumvents the issues associated with fluorescent labeling or dye staining, which can be especially problematic for imaging of molecules that are smaller than typical labels or for use in vivo in patients. Wide ranging applications include studying lipid metabolism, trans-dermal drug delivery, biomass conversion to biofuel, and tumor margin delineation during cancer surgery has been demonstrated. While laser systems have come a long way and different approaches exist at various degrees of commercialization, they are expensive (~$300,000), require experienced optics personnel for operation, and are not robust. This greatly limits the access to this exciting new technology and prevents use in medical diagnostics. The light-source proposed in this SBIR application aims to overcome these limitations, as it is based on a all-fiber design from robust and low-cost telecommunication components.

该小型企业创新研究 (SBIR) 第一阶段项目旨在开发用于无标记显微镜技术的激光源，特别是相干拉曼散射 (CRS) 显微镜。与其他技术相比，CRS 需要用两个同步激光脉冲串（皮秒脉冲持续时间）进行激发，其频率差可以调整到拉曼光谱典型线宽 (1nm) 的精度。该提案的关键创新在于认识到电信行业使用的两种主要增益介质铒 (Er) 和镱 (Yb) 的差频对应于拉曼光谱的高波数区域，大多数 CRS 成像都是在该区域进行的。基于鲁棒全光纤设计的最新进展，该申请提出开发一种新型双色铒铒激光系统，该系统基于使用超连续谱产生的两个皮秒功率放大器的光同步。虽然这可以为 CRS 提供优雅、经济的激光源，但与光纤中所需的高峰值功率相关的物理特性具有挑战性。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力在于生物和材料科学研究，以及最终的医学诊断领域。 CRS 允许根据样品的固有光谱特性进行化学对比显微成像。它避免了与荧光标记或染料染色相关的问题，这些问题对于小于典型标记的分子成像或在患者体内使用时尤其成问题。广泛的应用包括研究脂质代谢、经皮药物输送、生物质转化为生物燃料以及癌症手术期间的肿瘤边缘描绘。虽然激光系统已经取得了长足的进步，并且不同的商业化程度存在不同的方法，但它们价格昂贵（约 300,000 美元），需要经验丰富的光学人员进行操作，而且不坚固。这极大地限制了这种令人兴奋的新技术的使用，并阻碍了其在医疗诊断中的使用。该 SBIR 应用中提出的光源旨在克服这些限制，因为它基于坚固且低成本的电信组件的全光纤设计。