Snapshot hyperspectral imaging microscope enabled by cladded waveguide array fabricated with 2-photon additive...

Snapshot spectrometers capture spatial and spectral data in real-time, offering transformative potential in biomedical imaging and environmental monitoring. However, conventional designs struggle to reconcile high spatial-spectral sampling density with device miniaturization. To address this, we present a compact snapshot imaging spectrometer leveraging a densely packed 3D waveguide array fabricated via two-photon polymerization (2PP), an additive manufacturing technique that achieves submicron precision in complex geometries. The design features 26,000 straight waveguides in an angled end-face configuration, with a 4 µm pitch and 2.5 µm core size. By introducing a vertical layer height increment of 32 µm, the array facilitates spectral data distribution across 40 pixels. The compact structure, measuring 852 µm x 552 µm x 4093 µm, offers new opportunities for integrating snapshot spectroscopy into portable devices. The system's performance is evaluated through measurements of spectral resolution, crosstalk, and throughput. Validation using USAF resolution target imaging and the biological microscopic samples demonstrates its potential to deliver accurate and high-efficiency spectral data.