New opportunities offered by compact sub-nanosecond supercontinuum sources in ultra-broadband multiplex CARS microspectroscopy

Abstract : We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first turn-key and compact dual-output sub-nanosecond supercontinuum source applicable to ultrabroadband multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microspectroscopy of biological samples. The light source design and the microspectroscopy setup are described in details. Easy multicolour imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans nematode is operated successfully and discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.