Line-Illumination Raman Microscopy for Imaging Biological Samples

We developed Raman microscopy techniques for rapid imaging of biological cells and tissues. By detecting Raman spectra simultaneously from multiple points in a specimen, which is irradiated by a line-shaped laser focus, the image acquisition time has been improved hundreds of times compared to a conventional confocal Raman measurement. We utilized several types of laser illumination for different imaging purposes, such as high-speed, high-resolution, and depth imaging of biological samples. We also applied the Raman microscopy techniques for characterizing and diagnosing the biological states and functions of cell and tissue samples.