Second‐harmonic microscopy — a quantitative probe for molecular surface order

Abstract

Second‐harmonic microscopy —an application of which is presented in the previous article—is a fast quantitative technique for the imaging of interfaces such as that in the Figure. The theory of the technique, which is based on the generation of second‐harmonic light specifically at surfaces or interfaces due to their lack of centrosymmetry, is outlined and the interpretation of the results discussed. magnified image