Low-noise spectroscopic imaging system

1. A spectral imaging device for generating a two-dimensional spectral image of a sample, the spectral imaging device comprising:

an image sensor that includes a two-dimensional array of sensor elements that are used to acquire data to construct the two-dimensional spectral image during a data acquisition time;

an illumination source that generates an illumination beam that illuminates the sample;

an imaging optical assembly that collects light from the sample and forms a two-dimensional spectral image of the sample on the image sensor; and

a control system that (i) controls the illumination source to generate the illumination beam during the data acquisition time, and (ii) controls the image sensor to capture the data during the data acquisition time; wherein the illumination beam and the collected light follow a beam path having an effective optical path segment; and wherein the effective optical path segment is adjusted during the data acquisition time.

2. The spectral imaging device of claim 1 wherein the imaging optical assembly includes a refractive, optical element that is positioned along the beam path between the sample and the image sensor, the refractive optical element being spaced apart a separation distance from the sample along the beam path, and wherein the spectral imaging device includes a mover assembly that moves at least one of the sample and the optical element along the beam path to change the separation distance and adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

3. The spectral imaging device of claim 2 wherein the mover assembly moves the sample relative to the refractive optical element along the beam path to adjust the separation distance and adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

4. The spectral imaging device of claim 2 wherein the mover assembly moves the refractive optical element relative to sample along the beam path to adjust the separation distance and adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

5. The spectral imaging device of claim 2 wherein the refractive, optical element includes a front element surface faces the sample, and wherein the front element surface is curved and has a radius that is approximately equal to the separation distance.

6. The spectral imaging device of claim 2 wherein the effective optical path segment is adjusted at least approximately three microns during the data acquisition time.

7. The spectral imaging device of claim 6 wherein the effective optical path segment is adjusted as a function of wavelength of the illumination beam.

8. The spectral imaging device of claim 1 wherein the effective optical path is modulated with a frequency of at least approximately two times the data acquisition time.

9. The spectral imaging device of claim 1 further comprising an electro-optic modulator positioned in the beam path that is controlled to adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

10. The spectral imaging device of claim 1 further comprising an adjuster element positioned in the beam path that is moved to adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

11. The spectral imaging device of claim 1 wherein the illumination source is a tunable laser source and the illumination beam is a laser beam.

12. A method for generating a two-dimensional spectral image of a sample, the method comprising:

acquiring data with an image sensor that includes a two-dimensional array of sensor elements to construct the two-dimensional spectral image during a data acquisition time;

illuminating the sample with an illumination beam;

collecting light from the sample and forming a two-dimensional spectral image of the sample on the image sensor with an imaging optical assembly; wherein the illumination beam and the collected light follow a beam path having an effective optical path segment;

controlling the illumination source to generate the illumination beam during the data acquisition time;

controlling the image sensor to capture the data during the data acquisition time; and

adjusting the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of collecting light includes the imaging optical assembly having a refractive, optical element that is positioned along the beam path between the sample and the image sensor, the refractive optical element being spaced apart a separation distance from the sample along the beam path, and wherein the method includes moving at least one of the sample and the optical element along the beam path to change the separation distance and adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the effective optical path segment includes adjusting the effective optical path segment at least approximately three microns during the data acquisition time.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the effective optical path segment includes adjusting the effective optical path segment as a function of wavelength of the illumination beam.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the effective optical path segment includes modulating the effective optical path segment with a frequency of at least approximately two times the data acquisition time.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the effective optical path segment includes adjusting the effective optical path segment with an electro-optic modulator positioned in the beam path to adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the effective optical path segment includes adjusting the effective optical path segment with an adjuster element positioned in the beam path that is moved relative to the beam path to adjust the effective optical path segment during the data acquisition time.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein illuminating the sample includes the illumination source being a tunable laser source and the illumination beam is a laser beam.

20. A spectral imaging device for generating a two-dimensional spectral image of a sample, the spectral imaging device comprising:

an image sensor that includes a two-dimensional array of sensor elements that are used to acquire data to construct the two-dimensional spectral image during a data acquisition time;

a tunable mid-infrared laser illumination source that generates a mid-infrared, illumination beam that illuminates the sample;

an imaging optical assembly that collects light from the sample and forms a two-dimensional spectral image of the sample on the image sensor, the imaging optical assembly including at least one refractive optical element; and

a control system that (i) controls the illumination source to generate the illumination beam during the data acquisition time, and (ii) controls the image sensor to capture the data during the data acquisition time; wherein the illumination beam and the collected light follow a beam path having an effective optical path segment; and wherein the effective optical path segment is modulated at least approximately three microns through at least one cycle during the data acquisition time.