Advances in Ultrafast Fiber Lasers for Multiphoton Microscopy in Neuroscience

Abstract

Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) has emerged as a vital tool in neuroscience, enabling deeper imaging with a broader field of view, as well as faster and sub-cellular resolution. Recent innovations in ultrafast fiber laser technology have revolutionized MPM applications in living brains, offering advantages like cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness. In this review, we explore the progress in ultrafast fiber laser technology, focusing on its integration into MPM for neuroscience research. We also examine the utility of femtosecond fiber lasers in fluorescence and label-free two- and three-photon microscopy applications within the field. Furthermore, we delve into future possibilities, including next-generation fiber laser designs, novel laser characteristics, and their potential for achieving high spatial and temporal resolution imaging. We also discuss the integration of fiber lasers with implanted microscopes, opening doors for clinical and fundamental neuroscience investigations.