Exploiting spatio-spectral aberrations for rapid synchrotron infrared imaging

Area of Science:

• Spectroscopy
• Optical Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• The Australian Synchrotron's Infrared Microspectroscopy Beamline utilizes a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer with mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) and focal plane array (FPA) detectors.
• Conventional synchrotron infrared (IR) microspectroscopy relies on time-consuming, point-by-point mapping using a tightly focused beam and MCT detector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate methods for accelerating imaging acquisition in synchrotron IR microspectroscopy.
• To assess the potential of exploiting spatio-spectral aberrations for rapid imaging.
• To evaluate a computational optical approach for enhanced imaging speed.

Main Methods:

• Increased the infrared beam size at the sample plane using a 15× objective.
• Investigated spatio-spectral aberrations resulting from the larger beam.
• Applied a correlation-based semi-synthetic computational optical approach.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that spatio-spectral aberrations can be characterized and potentially utilized.
• Showcased the feasibility of a computational approach to interpret data from a larger beam.
• Identified a pathway towards rapid imaging, moving beyond traditional mapping.

Conclusions:

• Exploiting spatio-spectral aberrations offers a promising route to significantly increase imaging speed in FTIR microspectroscopy.
• Computational optical methods can compensate for and leverage optical aberrations for advanced imaging techniques.
• This study paves the way for faster, more efficient chemical mapping with synchrotron IR radiation.