Enhanced spectral resolution of multiplex CARS microscopy with a spectral beam shaper

Enhancement of the spectral resolution in multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is achieved by adapting a spectral beam shaper, which can vary the spectral bandwidth of the pump beam from 11 cm(-1) to 28 cm(-1). The feasibility of this way to attain high spectral resolution in multiplex CARS microscopy was tested oil polyvinyl thin films coated on slide glass and liquid 1,3,5-Triisopropylbenzene. The best spectral resolutions of about 24 cm(-1) and 18 cm(-1) for the C-H vibration mode of solid polymeric thin films and liquid 1,3,5-Triisopropylbenzene, respectively, show e a potential applicability of the multiplex configuration in CARS microscopy to solid polymer thin films and to liquid samples with rather complex vibrational spectra.