Abstract

We compare imaging using coherent and spontaneous Raman scattering under biological imaging conditions. We perform spectral domain imaging of polystyrene beads and find comparable signal levels for both methods at excitation powers and concentrations most relevant for biological samples. The critical power at which the two methods provide equivalent signal levels is found to be ~1.3 mW in 10 M polystyrene beads and ~7 mW in 13 M 2-propanol. The low sample concentrations and low excitation power necessary for most biological imaging applications reduce the relative advantages offered by coherent Raman methods.

© 2009 OSA/SPIE