In this paper, the experimental investigation on the interaction length for getting the optimum diffraction of the multi-order acousto-optic diffraction is presented. Based on these results, the feasibility of acousto-optic Q-switch taking H2O or TeO2 as medium respectively for ultraviolet and visible lasers are discussed. The fact that the optimum interaction length tightly relies on the frequency of the sound and does not relate to the wavelength and power of the light is found in the experiment. The interaction length will become longer as the frequency of the ultrasound becomes higher. The interaction length is about 8mm when the acoustic frequency is at about 9MHz and becomes about 4mm at 6MHz. A Q-switch that works with pure water is designed and a total diffractive efficiency of about 98% was obtained under the condition that the acoustic frequency is 9MHz and the acoustic power is 3.4W. An acousto-optic Q-switch made of TeO2, in terms of Raman-Nath diffraction is designed. With a cooling system on the device, a total diffractive efficiency of about 75% is obtained under the condition that the acoustic frequency is 10MHz and the acoustic power is 10W. The loss by one path of the device is about 5% on the best condition. Then the modulated pulse width is measured as about 200ns on the condition that the acoustic frequency is 11MHz, the acoustic power is 6W and the repetition frequency is 10kHz.
Traditional laser scanning microscopes require complex control systems to synchronize and control image acquisition. The control system is especially cumbersome in the multimodal laser scanning microscope. We have developed a novel multimodal laser scanning microscope control system based on a National Instruments multifunction data acquisition device (DAQ), which serves as both a data acquisition device and a programmable signal generator. The novel control system is low-cost and easy-to-build, with all components off-the-shelf. We have applied the control system in a multimodal laser scanning microscope. The control system has not only significantly decreased the complexity of the microscope, but also increased the system flexibility. We have demonstrated that the system can be easily customized for various applications.
Melanin is regarded as the most enigmatic pigments/biopolymers found in most organisms. We have shown previously that melanin goes through a step-wise multi-photon absorption process after the fluorescence has been activated with high laser intensity. No melanin step-wise multi-photon activation fluorescence (SMPAF) can be obtained without the activation process. The step-wise multi-photon activation fluorescence has been observed to require less laser power than what would be expected from a non–linear optical process. In this paper, we examined the power dependence of the activation process of melanin SMPAF at 830nm and 920nm wavelengths. We have conducted research using varying the laser power to activate the melanin in a point-scanning mode for multi-photon microscopy. We recorded the fluorescence signals and position. A sequence of experiments indicates the relationship of activation to power, energy and time so that we can optimize the power level. Also we explored regional analysis of melanin to study the spatial relationship in SMPAF and define three types of regions which exhibit differences in the activation process.
Previous research has shown that the stepwise multi-photon activation fluorescence (SMPAF) of melanin, activated and excited by a continuous-wave (CW) mode near infrared (NIR) laser, is a low-cost and reliable method for detecting melanin. We have developed a device utilizing the melanin SMPAF to guide the ablation of melanin with a 975 nm CW laser. This method provides the ability of targeting individual melanin particles with micrometer resolution, and enables localized melanin ablation to be performed without collateral damage. Compared to the traditional selective photothermolysis, which uses pulsed lasers for melanin ablation, this method demonstrates higher precision and lower cost. Therefore, the SMPAF guided selective ablation of melanin is a promising tool of melanin ablation for both medical and cosmetic purposes.
Previously, we presented an on-axis linear-response linear-motion optical scanner. While the linear design is highly desired for engineering consideration, it was still lacking the scanning speed required for imaging applications. We here present a customized profile lens (CPL), tailored for high speed performance while maintaining the advantages of a linear response on-axis optical scanner. The device was built and tested experimentally on an optical bench. The test results demonstrate precise linear response and fast scanning speed, and revealed video frame rate scanning ability. The implementation of the CPLs in laser scanning systems is promising in improving the current 3D laser scanning microscopy systems by reducing the size, error, and complexity of the system, as well as other systems unitizing high speed laser scanning technique.
KEYWORDS: Skin, Luminescence, In vivo imaging, Continuous wave operation, Near infrared, 3D acquisition, Microscopes, Polygon scanners, Optical filters, Imaging systems
The stepwise multi-photon activated fluorescence (SMPAF) of melanin is a low cost and reliable method of detecting melanin because the activation and excitation can be a continuous-wave (CW) mode near infrared (NIR) laser. Our previous work has demonstrated the melanin SMPAF images in sepia melanin, mouse hair, and mouse skin. In this study, we show the feasibility of using SMPAF to detect melanin in vivo. in vivo melanin SMPAF images of normal skin and benign nevus are demonstrated. SMPAF images add specificity for melanin detection than MPFM images and CRM images. Melanin SMPAF is a promising technology to enable early detection of melanoma for dermatologists.
Previous research has shown that the stepwise multi-photon activated fluorescence (SMPAF) of melanin, activated by a continuous-wave (CW) mode near infrared (NIR) laser, is a low cost and reliable method of detecting melanin. SMPAF images of melanin in a mouse hair and a formalin fixed mouse melanoma were compared with conventional multiphoton fluorescence microscopy (MPFM) images and confocal reflectance microscopy (CRM) images, all of which were acquired at an excitation wavelength of 920 nm, to further prove the effectiveness of SMPAF in detecting melanin. SMPAF images add specificity for melanin detection to MPFM images and CRM images. Melanin SMPAF can be a promising technology to enable melanoma imaging for dermatologists.
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