No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 July 2020
Infrared spectroscopy has been used to probe a variety of biological systems including for example, the determination of diseased states and the investigation of foreign inclusions in biologicals. The technique generates qualitative and quantitative information on the structure and dynamics of samples, including lipids, proteins, and non-biological constituents. The coupling of imaging modalities with spectroscopic techniques adds a new dimension to sample analysis in both the spectroscopic and spatial domains. Using a spectroscopic imaging system that incorporates a step-scan interferometer, microscope, and infrared sensitive arrays, we have investigated a variety of biological samples. This seamless combination of spectroscopy for molecular analysis with the power of visualization generates chemically specific images while simultaneously obtaining high resolution spectra for each detector pixel. The spatial resolution of the images approaches the diffraction limit for mid-infrared wavelengths, while the spectral resolution is determined by the interferometer and can be 4 cm−1 or higher.