Slit-scanning Raman microscopy: Instrumentation and applications for molecular imaging of cell and tissue

Abstract

In recent years, Raman microscopy has emerged as a molecular imaging tool for cell and tissue analysis. A key reason for this is the development of techniques that significantly increase imaging speed. In this Tutorial, we introduce slit-scanning Raman microscopy, a Raman imaging technique that achieves imaging speeds more than two orders of magnitude faster than conventional confocal Raman microscopy, and its application to cell and tissue imaging and analysis. Recent advances in Raman imaging, particularly further improvements in imaging speed, sensitivity, specificity, and spatial resolution, are also discussed. In addition, we present the prospects of Raman microscopy as a molecular imaging method to aid in new discoveries in life sciences and the potential of high-speed Raman imaging for clinical applications.