Coherent Raman Scattering Microscopy and Biomedical Applications

Raman scattering spectroscopy has been a powerful technique that reveals the vibrational properties of chemical bonds and serves as the “fingerprints” for identifying molecules and materials. Coherent Raman scattering (CRS) is a nonlinear optical version of traditional Raman scattering, gaining orders of magnitude in signal intensity and hence has revolutionized the imaging functionality of Raman scattering. This chapter focuses on the basic principles of coherent Raman scattering microscopy, including coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, followed by the recent technical developments in hyperspectral imaging. Furthermore, CRS microscopy has found broad applications in advanced biomedical research, including both label-free chemical imaging for rapid tissue histopathology and the new Raman-labeling-based bioorthogonal imaging for biological studies.