Supercontinuum radiation in fluorescence microscopy and biomedical imaging applications

Abstract

Compact, high brightness supercontinuum sources have already made a big impact in the fields of fluorescence microscopy and biomedical imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering. In this review, we provide a brief overview on the generation and properties of supercontinuum radiation for imaging applications. We review specific uses of supercontinuum sources and their potential for bioimaging, but also their limitations and caveats. We conclude with a review of recent advances in UV supercontinuum generation, near-IR microscopy, exciting new potentials for the use of hollow-core PCFs, on-chip supercontinuum generation, and technologies to improve supercontinuum stability for certain applications.