Market Profile: Raman Imaging

One of the driving subsegments of the Raman spectroscopy market is Raman imaging. The speed and chemical information that imaging provides is helping the technique steadily replace conventional Raman microscopy. Demand for Raman imaging will help maintain strong single-digit growth in the overall Raman market for years to come.

Raman imaging demand by industry for 2011

Raman imaging is a subset of Raman microscopy. In a conventional Raman microscopy system, a confocal or other type of microscope is used to view a sample, and then an integrated Raman analyzer performs an analysis of a selected spot. In more-advanced Raman microscopes, the system may be able to move the sample stage and perform mapping analysis of the sample, but can take a long time to produce a Raman map of significant size. True Raman imaging systems utilize advanced software and other technology to provide a high-resolution map of the sample, including a full Raman spectrum of each pixel, in as little as a few seconds.

Most of the major Raman microscope vendors now offer imaging capabilities on their systems, which are usually features of higher-end models or can be added as upgrades. The global market for Raman imaging was close to $60 million in 2011, which accounted for more than half the Raman microscope market. Demand should continue to grow at a double-digit annual pace over the next several years.

The foregoing data were extracted from SDi’s market analysis and perspectives report entitled The Global Assessment Report, 11th Edition: The Laboratory Life Science and Analytical Instrument Industry, October 2010. For more information, contact Stuart Press, Vice President, Strategic Directions International, Inc., 6242 Westchester Parkway, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045, (310) 641-4982, fax: (310) 641-8851, www.strategic-directions.com.