Electromagnetic exposure systems for real time CARS imaging

We have developed an optical imaging technique based on the Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) that is going to be used as a way to experimentally explore specific signatures (molecular scale) related to the electromagnetic exposure of single cells. This new experimental configuration combines a wide-field CARS microscope with a wide-band electromagnetic micro-device capable of simultaneously exposing several cells to various electromagnetic waveforms (pulsed or continuous waves). The numerical analyses conducted on three different micro-devices (an edge coupled microstrip line, a coplanar waveguide and a slot line) possibly suitable to be integrated into the CARS microscope are presented. Simulated micro-devices show a good matching up to few GHz, allowing pulses of hundreds of ps to be delivered undistorted to the biological solution. However, among the examined systems, the coplanar wave guide resulted the optimum one in terms of matching, efficiency, and reduced radiation needed for safety reasons.