Ultrafast Confocal Raman Imaging

Abstract

Abstract A thorough knowledge of structural and chemical properties is essential in the fields of nanotechnology, materials research, and life science, leading to a growing demand for characterization methods for heterogeneous systems on the nanometer scale. However, certain properties are difficult to study with conventional characterization techniques due to either limited resolution or the inability to differentiate materials chemically without inflicting damage or using invasive techniques such as staining. Confocal Raman Imaging can effectively overcome these fundamental obstacles. In Confocal Raman Imaging, the acquisition time for one Raman spectrum is a crucial value, as it determines the acquisition time of the image, which typically consists of tens of thousands of Raman spectra. This article describes how the use of a spectroscopic Electron Multiplying-CCD (EMCCD) as the detector can significantly reduce the acquisition time to a few milliseconds per spectrum, as well as tremendously improve sensitivity.