The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), in collaboration with the Laboratory for Attosecond Physics at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics (MPQ) and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich, have developed a unique broadband and coherent infrared light source. The source enables the detection of minute changes in the spectral features of cells or tissue. Such changes indicate signs of DNA mutation or the presence of cellular malfunctions, including cancer.
Frequently, light sources do not cover the infrared spectrum well enough to detect minute concentrations originating from onco-metaboloids. The new light source exerts extreme control over mid-wave infrared laser light. Single-shot spectral coverage spans between 6.8 and 16.4 micron wavelengths.
The fully coherent radiation emits 100 million times per second. Each laser pulse has a duration of 66 fs; the electric field oscillates only twice.
Using all optical techniques in the mid-wave infrared wavelength range, Prof. Jens Biegert and his colleagues at ICFO are currently investigating molecular sensitivity for the identification of cancer biomarkers on the single cell level.
