Address
10 place de la Joliette
Atrium 10.4 – Etage 6
13002 Marseille, France
Name: Brian Spring
University / Institution: Northeastern University
Department / Research Group: Department of Physics, Spring Laboratory
Position / Title: Associate Professor of Physics
Research Area / Specialization: Biomedical Optics, Multiphoton Microscopy, Optical Fiber Endoscopy, Precision Photomedicine
1. Please briefly describe your research focus and current projects.
Our research focuses on the development of advanced optical imaging and photomedicine technologies for cancer detection, image-guided therapy, and the study of tumor–immune interactions. Current projects include the development of fiber-scanning multiphoton microendoscopes, hyperspectral microendoscopy systems, and ultrafast laser-based imaging platforms for preclinical and translational biomedical applications.
2. What research needs or challenge were you aiming to address when looking for a
solution ?
We required an optical fiber capable of delivering ultrashort femtosecond laser pulses through a flexible endoscopic platform while minimizing nonlinear distortion and preserving pulse quality. Conventional solid-core fibers often introduce significant dispersion and nonlinear effects that degrade pulse duration and limit imaging performance in multiphoton applications.
3. What factors influenced your decision to select our system ?
Our experience has been very positive. The fibers are mechanically flexible, well constructed, and straightforward to integrate into our experimental systems. The double-clad antiresonant hollow-core fiber has enabled reliable delivery of ultrashort laser pulses through our fiber-scanning multiphoton microendoscope while maintaining excellent optical performance.
4. How has your experience been using our system in your research work ?
Our experience with the Lightcore Technologies BondXplorer system in our research has been extremely positive. This system has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of our histopathological analyses through label-free, high-resolution molecular imaging with remarkable ease of use. Its multimodal capabilities have allowed us to obtain rich structural and biochemical information from tissue samples, while reducing preparation time and preserving sample integrity. We were particularly impressed by the microscope’s ergonomics, which integrate seamlessly into our workflow and enable rapid acquisition of highly reproducible data. The advanced imaging performance of the BondXplorer has opened new avenues for more in-depth tissue characterization and has significantly enhanced the scientific value and impact of our research projects.
5. Have our system contributed to any improvements in your workflow, experiments,
efficiency, or research outcomes ?
Yes. The fiber has enabled us to deliver sub-50 femtosecond laser pulses to the sample plane through the endoscope, supporting high-efficiency multiphoton excitation and improved imaging performance. The combination of low pulse distortion and practical mechanical handling has simplified system development and helped advance our research objectives.
6. Are there any specific features or aspects you particularly value ?
We particularly value the low nonlinearity of the hollow-core design, the ability to preserve ultrashort pulse durations, the double-clad architecture for endoscopic imaging applications, and the excellent mechanical flexibility. The overall build quality and consistency of the fibers have also been important advantages.
7. Would you recommend our system to other researchers or institutions ? Why ?
Yes. I would recommend LightCore’s antiresonant hollow-core fibers to researchers developing ultrafast laser delivery systems, multiphoton imaging platforms, and fiber-based endoscopes. The fibers provide an effective solution for preserving ultrashort pulse quality while offering the mechanical robustness and flexibility needed for practical biomedical and scientific applications, with potential for clinical translation.