Repetition-controllable gain-managed nonlinear fiber amplifier enables ultrashort, multiphoton imaging with reduced photodamage

Read, J.; Xu, D.; Yan, J.; Rawlings, A.; Chugh, S.; Spalluto, M. C.; Elkington, P. T.; Kanczler, J.; Lane, S. I. R.; Mahajan, S.; Xu, L.

doi:10.64898/2026.04.22.720141

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.04.22.720141

Repetition-controllable gain-managed nonlinear fiber amplifier enables ultrashort, multiphoton imaging with reduced photodamage

Read, J.·Xu, D.·Yan, J.·Rawlings, A.·Chugh, S.·Spalluto, M. C.·Elkington, P. T.·Kanczler, J.·Lane, S. I. R.·Mahajan, S.·Xu, L.

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Abstract

1.We report a repetition-controllable gain-managed nonlinear fiber amplifier (GMNA) that delivers near-infrared 50-fs pulses with pulse energies up to 150 nJ and a widely tunable repetition rate from 1-20 MHz, while maintaining stable pulse quality across the full range. Using this source, we demonstrate label-free multiphoton imaging--including metabolic autofluorescence (2PF/3PF), second/third-harmonic generation, and Simultaneous Label-free Autofluorescence Multiharmonic (SLAM) microscopy imaging--across live cells, human lung spheroids, and hard tissues. We further assess the impact of laser repetition rate on photodamage at fixed pulse energy, supported by preliminary measurements indicating lower damage at lower repetition rate. Collectively, the compact architecture and repetition-rate agility of the GMNA enable real-time optimization of imaging speed, depth, and sample safety for advanced biological microscopy.

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Read, J., Xu, D., Yan, J., Rawlings, A., Chugh, S., Spalluto, M. C., Elkington, P. T., Kanczler, J., Lane, S. I. R., Mahajan, S., Xu, L.. 2026-04-24. Repetition-controllable gain-managed nonlinear fiber amplifier enables ultrashort, multiphoton imaging with reduced photodamage. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.22.720141

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