The Laboratory for Nonlinear Optical Microscopy and AFM enables biological and artificial samples to be characterised on a micrometric and submicrometric scale.

The nonlinear optical microscope brings together several multiphoton microscopy techniques in a single instrument that can be used simultaneously: Two-Photon Excitation Fluorescence (TPEF), Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy. The nonlinear optical microscope allows measurements on live samples in time-lapse, even over long periods, as it is equipped with a specific microscope incubator. Furthermore, it is possible to administer substances in solution to the samples in a controlled manner via peristaltic pumps.

JPK's NanoWizard II atomic force microscope (AFM) permits surface topology to be measured at the nanoscale and nano indentations to be carried out to measure the local Young's modulus using the Force Spectroscopy technique. This microscope can also operate on submerged samples, allowing the analysis of biological samples even in their culture media.