Sensitivity analysis of Raman endoscopy with and without wavefront shaping

Area of Science:

• Spectroscopy
• Optical Engineering
• Biomedical Optics

Background:

• Vibrational spectroscopy, particularly Raman spectroscopy, offers label-free molecular identification.
• Ultra-thin fiber-based endoscopes enable remote, minimally invasive chemical analysis.
• Miniaturization, large field of view (FOV), and high sensitivity are key for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sensitivity improvements using wavefront shaping.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of wavefront shaping in ultra-thin single-fiber Raman probes.
• To assess the potential for reduced measurement times in chemical analysis.

Main Methods:

• Integration of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy with an ultra-thin fiber-based endoscope.
• Quantitative analysis of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sensitivity.
• Application of wavefront shaping techniques to the fiber probe.
• Evaluation of measurement time reduction without prior knowledge of particle location.

Main Results:

• Wavefront shaping significantly improves SNR and sensitivity in fiber-based Raman spectroscopy.
• Measurement time is reduced by several orders of magnitude using this technique.
• The ultra-thin fiber probe demonstrates suitability for minimally invasive endoscopy.

Conclusions:

• Wavefront shaping is a powerful tool for enhancing the performance of ultra-thin fiber-based Raman probes.
• This technology offers substantial benefits for label-free chemical analysis in biomedical and materials science.
• The developed fiber probe is well-suited for minimally invasive applications requiring high sensitivity and reduced analysis time.