title: Optimization of second-harmonic generation microscopy.
abstract: We describe the principles and characteristics of second-harmonic generation imaging (SHGI) and explore various methods for optimization of the technique. Second-harmonic imaging is optimized for ultrashort laser pulses, high numerical aperture microscope objectives, a highly sensitive non-descanned large area detector, pseudo-phase-matching, and specimens with large second-order non linearity or which exhibit surface plasmon enhanced phenomena. We also compare and contrast the techniques of SHGI and two-photon excited fluorescence imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Optics, School of Physics A28, University of Sydney, 2006, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gauderon
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lukins
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sheppard