Oral presentation at Photonics West 2019: 3D printed high-NA ultra-thin catadioptric condenser to minimize background contribution from cross-phase modulation in stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

06 February, 2019

Here we show the use of a high Numerical Aperture (NA) 3D printed ultra-thin optical lens, composed of micro-reflective and -refractive elements, to replace bulky and expensive microscope objectives for forward collection of signal in Stimulated Raman Scattering microscopy. The lens is fabricated with direct laser writing based on Two-Photon Lithography and is 300 µm thick of has a 1 cm diameter. The resulting NA of this catadioptric condenser lens is 1.2 when working in water immersion. Thanks to its compactness, this optical element can fit in tightly closed environments such as top-stage microscope incubators.