Mid-infrared hyperspectral microscopy with broadband 1-GHz dual frequency combs

Area of Science:

• Spectroscopy and Imaging
• Biomedical Optics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Mid-infrared microscopy offers label-free molecular bond analysis.
• Broadband sources enhance chemical specificity in imaging.
• Current platforms require improvements in speed, bandwidth, and signal-to-noise ratio for wider adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate a broadband, high-repetition-rate dual-comb spectrometer (DCS) into a mid-infrared scanning microscope.
• To demonstrate high-speed, broadband hyperspectral imaging capabilities of the integrated system.
• To analyze the trade-offs between bandwidth and speed in DCS microscopy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 1-GHz mid-infrared frequency combs for dual-comb spectroscopy.
• Integrated the DCS with a scanning microscope for hyperspectral imaging.
• Acquired spectral data at 12.86 kHz with 5 μm spatial resolution over a 1000 cm⁻¹ bandwidth.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated high-speed, broadband hyperspectral imaging of polymers and ovarian tissue.
• Achieved a spectral acquisition rate of 12.86 kHz with 5 μm spatial resolution.
• Characterized the performance of the mid-infrared DCS microscopy system.

Conclusions:

• The integrated DCS provides a powerful tool for label-free chemical imaging.
• The system enables rapid, detailed chemical analysis of biological and material samples.
• Findings offer a roadmap for advancing DCS hyperspectral imaging in microscopy.