The main theme of this conference is focused on exploiting ultrafast and nonlinear optical techniques for imaging and spectroscopy applications. The merging of ultrafast nonlinear optics and imaging has created exciting opportunities to explore nonlinear susceptibility as contrast mechanisms for label-free imaging. For instance, second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging relies on the difference in second order nonlinear susceptibility to form an image and can be used to probe molecules or structures without inversion symmetry. The introduction of the multi-photon nonlinear excitation technique using femtosecond pulses to fluorescence microcopy has allowed for the use of longer excitation wavelengths hence deeper penetration depth in scattering media, reduced photo-toxicity, and natural optical sectioning capability. By combining nonlinear molecular vibrational spectroscopy (such as coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy – CARS, and stimulated Raman scattering – SRS) with imaging, coherent Raman microscopy possesses the unique chemical selective imaging capability. Last but not the least, various novel sources generated by ultrafast nonlinear processes (e.g., supercontinuum) also have significant impact on the field of imaging and spectroscopy.

This conference provides an excellent opportunity for researchers working on the field of ultrafast nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy to present their most recent progress. Papers on all related areas are solicited, including novel ultrafast nonlinear optical imaging and spectroscopy techniques, nonlinear imaging contrast mechanisms, applications of ultrafast nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy, nonlinear optical sources, and computational techniques related to ultrafast nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy. The following are a list of exemplary topical areas:

• sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, SFG and SHG (second harmonic generation) microscopy
• multi-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy
• third harmonic generation (THG) microscopy
• four wave mixing spectroscopy and imaging, coherent Raman spectroscopy and microscopy (e.g., CARS, SRS)
• ultrafast nanoscale nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy
• ultrafast electron diffraction and imaging
• multispectral imaging
• multidimensional spectroscopy
• Brillouin imaging
• holographic nonlinear imaging
• stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED)
• structured illumination imaging
• nonlinear sources (e.g., supercontinuum, THz) for imaging and spectroscopy
• novel ultrafast and nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy techniques
• computational nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy
• biological and chemical imaging and sensing applications.