Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Characterization of Biomaterials

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This research program seeks to develop new and improved microscopy and spectroscopy tools that are based on nonlinear optical processes, and which, when integrated in concert into a cohesive microscopy platform, will be brought to bear on discovering new structures and properties of a wide and non-traditional range of materials systems, including condensed biomolecular assemblies and geological materials. An particular type of imaging that uses intense laser pulses is known as nonlinear optical microscopy, and this ever-expanding framework includes such techniques as two-photon excitation fluorescence, second-harmonic generation, third-harmonic generation, four-wave-mixing, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering. Despite its applicability to imaging and characterizing a wide range of materials systems, at present this technology is fully entrenched as a "biomedical imaging" tool. A main approach in establishing my research program is to investigate and demonstrate the potential of this powerful tool to answer important questions in other disciplines such as biomaterials, soft-condensed matter, the geosciences, and paleobiology. To accomplish this goal, we will build a simplified but cutting-edge ultrafast (sub-70 femtosecond) laser-based scanning microscope that simultaneously integrates numerous linear and nonlinear optical imaging modalities. In particular, recent advances have allowed for the implementation of label-free and chemically-specific contrast mechanisms based on stimulated Raman processes utilizing a single ultrafast laser source. One such approach requires the subsequent generation and shaping of broadband light with specialized micro-structured optical fibres and high-dispersion glass, thus obviating the need for separate (and expensive) multiple picosecond laser sources. Establishing these capabilities requires considerable expertise in ultrafast laser photonics, nonlinear optics, microscopy, instrumentation, and electronics, and will thus represent an excellent venue for the training of highly qualified students and researchers at all levels of education.