Multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (MCARS) for chemically sensitive, label-free flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is an ever-advancing high-throughput multivariate analysis tool that natively provides size and morphological information. To obtain molecular information, however, typically requires the addition of fluorophores, which are limited by spectral overlap, nonspecific binding, available conjugation chemistries, and cellular toxicity. A complementary or alternative, label-free approach to molecular information is through multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (MCARS), which is a coherent, nonlinear optical method that provides a wealth of molecular information by probing the Raman energies within a molecule. In this work, we demonstrate the unique capability of our MCARS flow cytometer to distinguish flowing particles and discuss system performance capabilities and possibilities. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America