Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy

Abstract In this contribution, we demonstrate a wide-field hyperspectral mid-infrared (MIR) microscope based on multidimensional single-pixel imaging (SPI). The microscope employs a high brightness MIR supercontinuum source for broadband (1.55 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m –4.5  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m )...

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Main Authors: Alexander Ebner, Paul Gattinger, Ivan Zorin, Lukas Krainer, Christian Rankl, Markus Brandstetter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26718-6
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author Alexander Ebner
Paul Gattinger
Ivan Zorin
Lukas Krainer
Christian Rankl
Markus Brandstetter
author_facet Alexander Ebner
Paul Gattinger
Ivan Zorin
Lukas Krainer
Christian Rankl
Markus Brandstetter
author_sort Alexander Ebner
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In this contribution, we demonstrate a wide-field hyperspectral mid-infrared (MIR) microscope based on multidimensional single-pixel imaging (SPI). The microscope employs a high brightness MIR supercontinuum source for broadband (1.55 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m –4.5  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m ) sample illumination. Hyperspectral imaging capability is achieved by a single micro-opto-electro-mechanical digital micromirror device (DMD), which provides both spatial and spectral differentiation. For that purpose the operational spectral bandwidth of the DMD was significantly extended into the MIR spectral region. In the presented design, the DMD fulfills two essential tasks. On the one hand, as standard for the SPI approach, the DMD sequentially masks captured scenes enabling diffraction-limited imaging in the tens of millisecond time-regime. On the other hand, the diffraction at the micromirrors leads to dispersion of the projected field and thus allows for wavelength selection without the application of additional dispersive optical elements, such as gratings or prisms. In the experimental part, first of all, the imaging and spectral capabilities of the hyperspectral microscope are characterized. The spatial and spectral resolution is assessed by means of test targets and linear variable filters, respectively. At a wavelength of 4.15  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m a spatial resolution of 4.92  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m is achieved with a native spectral resolution better than 118.1 nm. Further, a post-processing method for drastic enhancement of the spectral resolution is proposed and discussed. The performance of the MIR hyperspectral microsopce is demonstrated for label-free chemical imaging and examination of polymer compounds and red blood cells. The acquisition and reconstruction of Hadamard sampled 64  $$\times$$ ×  64 images is achieved in 450 ms and 162 ms, respectively. Thus, combined with an unprecedented intrinsic flexibiliy gained by a tunable field of view and adjustable spatial resolution, the demonstrated design drastically improves the sample throughput in MIR chemical and biomedical imaging.
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spelling doaj.art-5e1c4f28851d4701b13ba329bd4617d02023-01-08T12:08:33ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-01-0113111010.1038/s41598-022-26718-6Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopyAlexander Ebner0Paul Gattinger1Ivan Zorin2Lukas Krainer3Christian Rankl4Markus Brandstetter5RECENDT — Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbHRECENDT — Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbHRECENDT — Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbHProspective Instruments LK OGRECENDT — Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbHRECENDT — Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbHAbstract In this contribution, we demonstrate a wide-field hyperspectral mid-infrared (MIR) microscope based on multidimensional single-pixel imaging (SPI). The microscope employs a high brightness MIR supercontinuum source for broadband (1.55 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m –4.5  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m ) sample illumination. Hyperspectral imaging capability is achieved by a single micro-opto-electro-mechanical digital micromirror device (DMD), which provides both spatial and spectral differentiation. For that purpose the operational spectral bandwidth of the DMD was significantly extended into the MIR spectral region. In the presented design, the DMD fulfills two essential tasks. On the one hand, as standard for the SPI approach, the DMD sequentially masks captured scenes enabling diffraction-limited imaging in the tens of millisecond time-regime. On the other hand, the diffraction at the micromirrors leads to dispersion of the projected field and thus allows for wavelength selection without the application of additional dispersive optical elements, such as gratings or prisms. In the experimental part, first of all, the imaging and spectral capabilities of the hyperspectral microscope are characterized. The spatial and spectral resolution is assessed by means of test targets and linear variable filters, respectively. At a wavelength of 4.15  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m a spatial resolution of 4.92  $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m is achieved with a native spectral resolution better than 118.1 nm. Further, a post-processing method for drastic enhancement of the spectral resolution is proposed and discussed. The performance of the MIR hyperspectral microsopce is demonstrated for label-free chemical imaging and examination of polymer compounds and red blood cells. The acquisition and reconstruction of Hadamard sampled 64  $$\times$$ ×  64 images is achieved in 450 ms and 162 ms, respectively. Thus, combined with an unprecedented intrinsic flexibiliy gained by a tunable field of view and adjustable spatial resolution, the demonstrated design drastically improves the sample throughput in MIR chemical and biomedical imaging.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26718-6
spellingShingle Alexander Ebner
Paul Gattinger
Ivan Zorin
Lukas Krainer
Christian Rankl
Markus Brandstetter
Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy
Scientific Reports
title Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy
title_full Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy
title_fullStr Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy
title_full_unstemmed Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy
title_short Diffraction-limited hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy
title_sort diffraction limited hyperspectral mid infrared single pixel microscopy
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26718-6
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