title: Confocal laser scanning microscopy using a frequency doubled vertical external cavity surface emitting laser.
abstract: We report on a frequency doubled 980 nm vertical external cavity surface emitting laser for applications in confocal laser scanning microscopy. The beam quality, wavelength flexibility, and low noise characteristics of this compact source make this prolific imaging technique an exemplary tool. Single pass frequency doubling via KNbO(3) was demonstrated, yielding 1.8 mW at 490 nm with a near diffraction limited beam quality. Detailed analysis and comparison of the laser performance with the current standard argon ion laser revealed clear advantages of the solid-state source for confocal imaging. Imaging of fluorescein and eGFP labeled biological samples using the attenuated solid-state source provided high-resolution images at lower cost and with improved reliability.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biophotonics, SIPBS, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keatings
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Erling
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riis
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McConnell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D031405:Convallaria / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D007834:Lasers; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009556:Niobium / Q000737:chemistry; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D012666:Semiconductors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D010087:Oxides; D009556:Niobium; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D011188:Potassium; D019793:Fluorescein