Diode-pumped lasers for two-photon fluorescence microscopy

Summary form only given. We report the use of diode-pumped mode-locked lasers for generating two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) images. TPFM offers several advantages over the more conventional confocal fluorescence microscopy, namely improved depth penetration through samples, confinement of dye bleaching to the focus area, and a reduction in the background fluorescence levels caused by out-of-focus fluorescence. In addition, the absorption confinement reduces phototoxicity for live samples.