Breaking the diffraction barrier using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering difference microscopy

Abstract

We propose a method to improve the resolution of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy (CARS), and present a theoretical model. The proposed method, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering difference microscopy (CARS-D), is based on the intensity difference between two differently acquired images. One being the conventional CARS image, and the other obtained when the sample is illuminated by a doughnut shaped spot. The final super-resolution CARS-D image is constructed by intensity subtraction of these two images. However, there is a subtractive factor between them, and the theoretical model sets this factor to obtain the best imaging effect.