Nonlinear interferometric vibrational imaging for applications in the study and diagnosis of breast cancer

This thesis deals with the problem of developing a microscopy imaging technique with fast acquisition rates and label-free chemical selectivity for the study of tumor formation and its diagnosis in early stages of development. Spontaneous Raman scattering microscopy studies on human breast pathologies have led to models that characterize normal and cancerous breast tissue. This technique, however, is weak and requires long integration times, making it problematic as a clinical imaging tool. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy can improve the speed of acquisition and is more suitable for imaging, but at the cost of losing spectral information and generating unwanted background. As an advance, this thesis describes the technology of Nonlinear Interferometric Vibrational Imaging (NIVI), a CARS-based technique that uses two engineered femtosecond optical pulses and interferometric detection to retrieve broadband Raman signatures free of background. The performance of this technique is shown in the acquisition of spatial-spectral maps in material samples and mammary tissue. Results were validated by comparison with spontaneous Raman microscopy and bright field images of stained sections of the same tissues.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• Benalcazar, Wladimir A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Boppart, Stephen A.

• nonlinear optics
• optical imaging
• nonlinear interferometric vibrational imaging
• coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering
• breast cancer

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Wladimir Benalcazar

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16169

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/16169