Alignment and maintenance free all-fiber laser source for CARS microscopy based on frequency conversion by four-wave-mixing

In this contribution we report on a novel approach for pump and stokes pulse generation in extremely compact all-fiber systems using parametric frequency conversion (four-wave-mixing) in photonic-crystal fibers. Representing a completely alignment-free approach, the all-fiber ytterbium-based short-pulse laser system provides intrinsically synchronized tunable two-color picosecond pulses emitted from a single fiber end. The system was designed to address important CH-stretch vibrational resonances. Strong CARS signals are generated and proved by spectroscopic experiments, tuning the laser over the resonance of toluene at 3050cm-1. Furthermore the whole laser setup with a footprint of only 30x30cm2 is mounted on a home-built laser-scanning-microscope and CARS imaging capabilities are verified. The compact turn-key system represents a significant advance for CARS microscopy to enter real-world, in particular bio-medical, applications.