Mid-Infrared Photothermal Microscopy: Principle, Instrumentation, and Applications

Midinfrared photothermal (MIP) microscopy, also called optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) microscopy, is an emerging tool for bond-selective chemical imaging of living biological and material samples. In MIP microscopy, a visible probe beam detects the photothermal-based contrast induced by a vibrational absorption. With submicron spatial resolution, high spectral fidelity, and reduced water absorption background, MIP microscopy has overcome the limitations in infrared chemical imaging methods. In this review, we summarize the basic principle of MIP microscopy, the different origins of MIP contrasts, and recent technology development that pushed the resolution, speed, and sensitivity of MIP imaging to a new stage. We further emphasize its broad applications in life science and material characterization, and provide a perspective of future technical advances.