Enhanced fluorescence signal in nonlinear microscopy through supplementary fiber-optic light collection.
Nonlinear microscopy techniques crucially rely on efficient signal detection. Here, we present a ring of large-core optical fibers for epi-collection of fluorescence photons that are not transmitted through the objective and thus normally wasted. Theoretical treatments indicated that such a supplementary fiber-optic light collection system (SUFICS) can provide an up to 4-fold signal gain. In typical in vivo imaging experiments, the fiber-ring channel was brighter than the objective channel down to 800 microm depth, thus providing a gain >2. Moreover, SUFICS reduced noise levels in calcium imaging experiments by about 23%. We recommend SUFICS as a generally applicable, effective add-on to nonlinear microscopes for enhancing fluorescence signals.
Engelbrecht
Christoph J
CJ
Department of Neurophysiology, Brain Research Institute, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
Göbel
Werner
W
Helmchen
Fritjof
F
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008027:Light; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation*