title: A benchtop, ultrafast infrared spectroscopic imaging system for biomedical applications.
abstract: We discuss the potential biomedical applications for a novel infrared spectroscopic microimaging system. A tunable, table top solid-state laser has been coupled to a commercial infrared microscope, fitted with a modified high resolution infrared camera, to create a unique tool for midinfrared imaging. The system is capable of performing broadband imaging at a diffraction-limited spatial resolution, as is demonstrated here by spatially resolved spectroscopy of polymer test samples with a spectral resolution of 20 cm(-1). The large pulse energies (tens of microjoules) offer previously unobtainable combinations of high signal-to-noise levels and rapid data collection times which are superior to current stand-alone laboratory instruments by many decades. Coupled with the short (100 ps) short pulse duration, these characteristics promise to make a wide range of time-resolved and reflection mode imaging experiments possible with live biological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Experimental Solid State Group, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hemmel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amrania
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCrow
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D003300:Copper; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011108:Polymers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D003300:Copper; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate