- Fanghao Hu: Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Lixue Shi: Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Wei Min: Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. wm2256@columbia.edu.
All molecules consist of chemical bonds, and much can be learned from mapping the spatiotemporal dynamics of these bonds. Since its invention a decade ago, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy has become a powerful modality for imaging chemical bonds with high sensitivity, resolution, speed and specificity. We introduce the fundamentals of SRS microscopy and review innovations in SRS microscopes and imaging probes. We highlight examples of exciting biological applications, and share our vision for potential future breakthroughs for this technology.