Method and apparatus for microlens array/fiber optic imaging
A novel approach for chemical imaging is disclosed. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system for producing a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample from photons scattered from the sample, comprising an optical lens; a first optical fiber bundle of M fibers; a second optical fiber bundle of N fibers; an optical fiber switch; and a charge coupled device, wherein the image comprises plural sub-images, and wherein each sub-image is formed from photons scattered from a predetermined two spatial dimension portion of the sample, and wherein the scattered photons forming each sub-image have a predetermined wavelength different from a predetermined wavelength of scattered photons forming the other sub-images, and wherein the scattered photons for each sub-image are collected substantially simultaneously.
1. A system for producing a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample from photons
either emitted or reflected from the sample, comprising:
an optical lens collecting the either emitted or reflected photons and delivering imaging photons;
a first optical fiber bundle of M fibers receiving the imaging photons via the optical lens;
a second optical fiber bundle of N fibers receiving the imaging photons via the first optical fiber bundle and
transmitting the imaging photons to a charge coupled device;
an optical fiber switch coupling the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle;
wherein the image comprises plural sub-images, and
wherein each sub-image is formed from photons either emitted or reflected from a predetermined two spatial dimension portion of the sample, and
wherein the either emitted or reflected photons forming each sub-image have a predetermined wavelength different from a predetermined wavelength of either emitted or reflected photons forming the other sub-images, and
wherein the either emitted or reflected photons for each sub-image are collected substantially simultaneously.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein M>N.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the optical lens provides magnification.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image is produced without moving the sample.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is polarization-independent.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image is a Raman image of the sample.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the optical fiber switch is an electro-optical switch.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a controller for controlling the optical fiber switch and the charge coupled device.
9. A method for producing a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample from photons either emitted or reflected from the sample, comprising:
collecting photons either emitted or reflected from the sample with an optical lens;
transmitting the collected photons to a first optical fiber bundle;
transmitting the collected photons to a second optical fiber bundle through an optical fiber switch; and
detecting the collected photons with a charge coupled device to thereby produce a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of the sample,
wherein the image comprises plural sub-images, and
wherein each sub-image is formed from photons either emitted or reflected from a predetermined two spatial dimension portion of the sample, and
wherein the either emitted or reflected photons forming each sub-image have a predetermined wavelength different from a predetermined wavelength of either emitted or reflected photons forming the other sub-images, and
wherein the either emitted or reflected photons for each sub-image are collected substantially simultaneously.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image is a Raman image of the sample.