title: Two-photon fluorescence surface wave microscopy.
abstract: This paper demonstrates the principle of two-photon surface wave microscopy with a view to applications on biological samples. We describe a modified scanning optical microscope, which uses specially prepared coverslips. These coverslips are designed to support the propagation of surface waves capable of large field enhancements. We also discuss the beam conditioning necessary to ensure efficient use of the available illumination. Two-photon surface wave fluorescent excitation is demonstrated on fluorescent nanospheres, demonstrating a point spread function width of approximately 220 nm at an illumination wavelength of 925 nm. The potential of non-linear surface wave excitation for both fluorescence and harmonic imaging microscopy is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Applied Optics Group, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. eexjg@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: J Y L
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Somekh
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: See
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pitter
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Vere
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D017785:Photons; D016610:Tissue Embedding / Q000379:methods