What is Infrared Microscopy?

Infrared (IR) microscopy, also known as infrared microspectroscopy, is a type of light microscopy that uses a source that transmits infrared wavelengths of light to view an image of the sample.

Unlike other optical microscopes with absorbent glass optics, an infrared microscope has reflective optics to allow the microscope to cover the entire spectral range of infrared light.

Infrared microscopy

Configuration

An infrared microscope usually comprises of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an infrared detector, and an optical microscope.

The FTIR spectrometer enables the microscope to use infrared spectroscopy to make a chemical analysis of the sample. The infrared detector may detect infrared light at a single point, a linear array or a focal plane array to view different sections of the sample.

Some infrared microscopes use a focal-plane array (FPA) method of detection, in conjunction with step-scan interferometry to create the image of the sample. With this technique, the contrast of the image depends on the response of the sample to the specific wavelengths of infrared light selected at the time of analysis. This allows both spatial and spectral information about the sample structure to be collected.

Applications

Infrared microscopy is a versatile analytical technique with many practical uses. For example, it is commonly used in gemological testing.

  • Diamond typing: identification of irradiated and HPHT-annealed diamond
  • Polymer treatment detection: recognition of treatment in emeralds and jadeites
  • Origin detection: recognition of natural or synthetic origin or alexandrite and emerald

It is also commonly used for chemical imaging. In this setting, the response of the sample to the infrared light determines the contrast of the image. The operator selects different wavelengths that correlate to specific IR absorption bands with certain molecular resonances to enhance the image contrast.

Progressions and limitations

Infrared microscopy already has many different applications, particularly in routine testing of gems and scientific research. In recent years, infrared microscopy has advanced to enable rapid measurements of large sample areas, even those with a high lateral resolution.

In the future, the capabilities of the infrared microscope could be combined with other analytical techniques, such as chemical, Raman, and UV-visible analyses. This could help to further enhance our understanding of the microscopic world around us by uncovering details about characteristics, history, color, and origin of samples.

The spatial resolution of infrared microscopy is limited by the diffraction of the wavelength of the IR light. For example, most IR microscopes in practical use have a spatial limitation of 1-3 times the wavelength of the light source, although this can vary based on the technique and microscope in use.

References

  1. https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-Infrared-Microscopy-Applications
  2. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470027318.a5609.pub2/abstract
  3. https://nanoheat.stanford.edu/tools/infrared-microscopy
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSWliWbZi9k
  5. http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5949

Further Reading

Last Updated: Feb 26, 2019

Yolanda Smith

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Smith, Yolanda. (2019, February 26). What is Infrared Microscopy?. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 31, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Infrared-Microscopy.aspx.

  • MLA

    Smith, Yolanda. "What is Infrared Microscopy?". News-Medical. 31 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Infrared-Microscopy.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Smith, Yolanda. "What is Infrared Microscopy?". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Infrared-Microscopy.aspx. (accessed October 31, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Smith, Yolanda. 2019. What is Infrared Microscopy?. News-Medical, viewed 31 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Infrared-Microscopy.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Research identifies respiratory transmission potential of H5N1 virus