Open Raman Microscopy (ORM): A Modular Hardware and Software Framework for Accessible Raman Imaging
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Abstract
Raman microscopy is a label-free, non-destructive imaging tool for spatially resolved chemical fingerprinting. Its powerful ability to reveal molecular information has driven rapid growth in applications across fields as varied as materials science, environmental analysis, and biomedical research. Despite its versatility, the accessibility of Raman microscopy is limited by expensive commercial setups and the technical barriers faced by researchers attempting to build custom systems. Here, we introduce an Open Raman Microscopy (ORM) framework based on a readily accessible modular microscopy platform. The ORM platform provides configurations for both high-throughput imaging and confocal imaging. We developed a dedicated python-based control and acquisition software, the ORM-Integrated Raman and Imaging Software (ORM-IRIS) designed to accommodate modular integration and control of components, including the laser source, spectrometer, and translational stages. Implemented across three institutions we demonstrate the ORM platform for high-throughput imaging of articular cartilage tissue, confocal three-dimensional imaging of a zebrafish embryo, and imaging of gold colloid decorated surfaces for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Together, this open-source hardware and software framework enhances the accessibility of Raman microscopy across an expanding range of scientific applications.
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to-linear fiber paired with fiber collimator) and the high-resolution confocal (105 μm fiber withlens tube) mode of the standard ORM setup obtained using an MCS-1TR-XY electronmicroscopy calibration grid and collecting line profiles across the chromium-silicon features.Intensities are the measured Raman intensity, averaged over 100 measurements of apowdered aspirin tablet as an exemplary scattering sample, and the silicon region of thecalibration target at 1595 cm-1 (C=O stretch) and 520 cm-1 (c-Si) respectively. Acquisitions wereperformed with a 785 nm laser at 45 mW with a 500 ms integration time using either a 10x OlympusPlan N or 40x Olympus UPlanSApo objective (NA 0.25 and 0.95 respectivel
Do you have resolution specifications for a higher NA objective? For folks who might want higher spatial resolution than 2.5um it would be …
to-linear fiber paired with fiber collimator) and the high-resolution confocal (105 μm fiber withlens tube) mode of the standard ORM setup obtained using an MCS-1TR-XY electronmicroscopy calibration grid and collecting line profiles across the chromium-silicon features.Intensities are the measured Raman intensity, averaged over 100 measurements of apowdered aspirin tablet as an exemplary scattering sample, and the silicon region of thecalibration target at 1595 cm-1 (C=O stretch) and 520 cm-1 (c-Si) respectively. Acquisitions wereperformed with a 785 nm laser at 45 mW with a 500 ms integration time using either a 10x OlympusPlan N or 40x Olympus UPlanSApo objective (NA 0.25 and 0.95 respectivel
Do you have resolution specifications for a higher NA objective? For folks who might want higher spatial resolution than 2.5um it would be great to know how far the system could be pushed. Related, have you tried a 'true' confocal light path with focusing optics and a pinhole? Again, it would be great to know how far the system could be pushed.
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Figure 1.
I did not find a mention of the "Matching NA" note in fig 1A. I believe this relates to the need to match the NA of the collector lens to the NA of the objective but it would be good to clarify that. Is it also preferable that the NA of the optical fiber matches that of the collector lens?
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functionality of state-of-the-art confocal Raman systems while maintaining accessibility,adaptability, and cost efficiency for a wide range of research applications
i believe most commercial "confocal" Raman systems utilize the same idea to use the fiber optic itself or the slit to create pseudo-confocality (see: https://www.bruker.com/en/products-and-solutions/raman-spectroscopy/raman-basics/what-is-raman-microscopy.html).
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The hardware design and assemblyinstructions of ORM are freely available at http://www.openramanmicroscopy.org
Thank you for making the design documentation available!
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ORM_IRIS software is freely available through our GitHub page at https://github.com/The-Thomas-Lab-UCL/orm-iris
the link is dead, perhaps the repo is private?
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