Current state of stimulated Brillouin scattering microscopy for the life sciences

• Published in: JPhys photonics Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. 32001 - 32013
• Main Authors: Bilenca, Alberto, Prevedel, Robert, Scarcelli, Giuliano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IOP Publishing 01.07.2024
• Subjects: biomechanical imaging; Continuous radiation; Data analysis; Imaging; Life sciences; Microscopy; optical microscopy; Scattering; State-of-the-art reviews; stimulated Brillouin scattering; Topical Review; Vibration mode; Wave excitation; biomechanical imaging; stimulated Brillouin scattering; optical microscopy
• ISSN: 2515-7647; 2515-7647
• DOI: 10.1088/2515-7647/ad5506

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) microscopy is a nonlinear all-optical imaging method that provides mechanical contrast based on the interaction of laser radiation and acoustical vibrational modes. Featuring high mechanical specificity and sensitivity, three-dimensional sectioning, and practical imaging times, SBS microscopy with (quasi) continuous wave excitation is rapidly advancing as a promising imaging tool for label-free visualization of viscoelastic information of materials and living biological systems. In this article, we introduce the theory of SBS microscopy and review the current state-of-the-art as well as recent innovations, including different approaches to system designs and data analysis. In particular, various performance parameters of SBS microscopy and its applications in the life sciences are described and discussed. Future perspectives for SBS microscopy are also presented.