Rapid wavelength scans over one octave and application to laser-induced fluorescence

Rapid excitation scans of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) have been demonstrated. Broadband light was generated in a photonic crystal fiber and transmitted through a long fiber. Due to group-velocity dispersion in the long fiber, a wavelength scan emerged from the fiber in time. The wavelength was swept over approximately one octave in approximately 150 ns. The generated light was used to excite LD 700 Perchlorate diluted in methanol. The LIF excitation scan had a spectral resolution of approximately 15 nm, and the integrated fluorescence spectrum was found to be within 7% of the integrated absorption spectrum of the dye molecule. The method presented makes possible spatially and spectrally resolved LIF excitation scans with scanning speeds up to the limits set by the excited-state lifetime of the dye molecule.