Fiber lasers have greatly evolved over the last years, becoming a significant force in manufacturing and high technology.
Fiber laser technology is still expanding its limits in the list of various applications. High-power lasers change the machining industry and our economy fundamentally, while low-power highly accurate fiber lasers are applied in medicine, biotech and physical sciences. Fiber lasers’ popularity increase is a result of their end-use benefits, such as reliability, usability, operation stability, etc.
What is multiphoton microscopy?
Multiphoton microscopy is a laser scanning microscopy method. In this technique there are as little as two or three photons. They are combined to generate high resolution 3D images of microscopic samples.
Laser microscopy has turned out to become an instrument in material development and studies. It is mostly applied in biological sciences and tissue engineering. Scientists use it for imaging of living biological tissues that can be conducted due to different scales whether on the molecular levels or through the whole organism.
During the experiments, multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is able to provide the most accurate measurements of the biological activities. Measurement procedures can last from several seconds to weeks, or even months that would cause some discomfort for patients. In these cases, minimal invasion plays a crucial role for them, besides, providing the most precise results.
This far-field imaging is developing rapidly and demands more complicated contemporary fiber lasers. The further progress will expand the capabilities of multiphoton microscopy in observing biological processes within deep layers of living tissues with minimal damage.
Fiber laser systems in multiphoton microscopy
As for multiphoton microscopy, fiber lasers are essential elements of this technology. Compared to usual lasers, fiber laser modules have a range of advantages.
- Due to the absence of a separate optical medium for beam delivery, fiber lasers are more stable and easier to maintain. They provide very high levels of optical gain.
- In comparison with traditional CO2 lasers, fiber lasers have a higher power conversion rate, they are energy efficient.
- Thanks to the highly focused narrow laser beam, laser modules can be applied in complex designs where there is a necessity in high precision.
- Fiber lasers don’t have any moving parts that require regular servicing.
- Fiber laser systems can be more expensive than other lasers on the market. However, the previously mentioned benefits reduce ownership cost and make fiber lasers cost-effective. Along with the less maintenance, the other factor – less power – helps in reducing the operating costs.
Applications of fiber laser systems in multiphoton microscopy
Thanks to the modern fiber lasers’ abilities and above-mentioned advantages, fiber laser technology is developing and still is looking for its limits.
Multiphoton microscopy is applied in various medical and biological fields.
Fiber lasers for oncology
Multiphoton microscopy measurements have proven to be one of the most effective imaging instruments when there is a necessity in detection of the malignancy. This instrument is able to identify malignancy of affected areas. For example, it can help medical specialists in bladder evaluation in real time and impression of extracted bladder tissue. Along with bladder cancer, multiphoton microscopy is also applied to evaluate prostate cancer. Multiphoton microscopy uses fiber lasers, and as any medical procedure, requires preliminary analysis.
Fiber laser systems for immunology
Multiphoton microscopy is able to image cells in vivo effectively. However, there is a need for an appropriate fiber laser that plays a significant role. This technology requires an accurate fiber laser that due to its qualities is able to create contrast in scattering tissue and at the same time reduce phototoxicity and photobleaching. Thanks to multiphoton microscopy, immunology has broken new ground, for example, by intravital imaging of leukocytes at a single-cell level.
Orchestration of cell migration, interactions between cells and intracellular signaling events have become possible because of the up-to-date technology of the multiphoton microscopy. Not so long ago multiphoton microscopy was applied only in a few specialized laboratories. Nowadays, this technique that uses fiber laser systems is far more extended and has become more publicly available.
Fiber lasers for neuroscience
Multiphoton excitation with the fiber laser pulses have given an opportunity to get the high-resolution images. With the increasing role of microscopy, fiber laser technology has also developed and proved to be the most suitable.
Neuroscience is one of the most modern research areas. Specialists study a variety of the neuronal networks to find out the nature of brain pathologies and create a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Nowadays, scientists have received an ability to analyze brain activity during the interaction of the brain and visual organs, carrying out some operations, etc. The observation of the brain operations is necessary for understanding of its functioning and pathological conditions’ appearance.
Deep brain imaging helps with these purposes. However, there are factors that should be taken into account during the fiber laser designing, for example, providing the proper volume. The problem is the deeper the penetration, the worse image quality. As a result, fiber lasers are the most suitable for neuroscience because fiber laser systems are power scalable.
Laser modules for spermatogenesis
Multiphoton microscopy makes the visualization of different biological processes in live tissues possible. For spermatogenesis multiphoton microscopy uses fiber lasers for visualization of all tubules with and without sperm.
As a result of the latest development, this technology of sperm extraction has replaced conventional testis biopsies. Nowadays, specialists are improving new technology and solving other challenges. Due to modern technology, the tubules’ retrieval relies only on appearance. So, in the future multiphoton microscopy has every chance to help real-time visualization improvement and apply it in clinical applications.
All in all, fiber laser systems are considered to be suitable and remarkable instruments for multiphoton microscopy that leads to the expansion of the boundaries in science and medicine. Multiphoton microscopy as well as laser modules give an opportunity to develop the treatment of such diseases as epilepsy, Parkinson, etc.
Optromix Inc., headquartered in Newton, MA, USA, is a manufacturer of laser technologies, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We develop and manufacture a broad variety of Fiber lasers, СО2 lasers, Ti: Sapphire lasers, Dye lasers, and Excimer Lasers. We offer simple Erbium laser and Ytterbium laser products, as well as sophisticated laser systems with unique characteristics, based on the client’s inquiry.
We manufacture laser modules using our technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of the international R&D team. Laser processes are high-quality, high-precision, easily automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility.
If you are interested in Optromix fiber laser systems or Optromix CO2 lasers, please contact us at info@optromix.com