Nano-Raman Scattering Microscopy: Resolution and Enhancement

Raman scattering microscopy is becoming one of the hot topics in analytical microscopy as a tool for analyzing advanced nanomaterials, such as biomolecules in a live cell for the study of cellular dynamics, semiconductor devices for characterizing strain distribution and contamination, and nanocarbons and nano-2D materials. In this paper, we review the recent progress in the development of Raman scattering microscopy from the viewpoint of spatial resolution and scattering efficiency. To overcome the extremely small cross section of Raman scattering, we discuss three approaches for the enhancement of scattering efficiency and show that the scattering enhancement synergistically increases the spatial resolution. We discuss the mechanisms of tip-enhanced Raman scattering, deep-UV resonant Raman scattering, and coherent nonlinear Raman scattering for micro- and nanoscope applications. The combinations of these three approaches are also shown as nanometer-resolution Raman scattering microscopy. The critical issues of the structures, materials, and reproducibility of tips and three-dimensionality for TERS; photodegradation for resonant Raman scattering; and laser availability for coherent nonlinear Raman scattering are also discussed.