Rapid FTIR chemical imaging: highlighting FPA detectors

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an established analytical technique that measures molecular bond vibrations via infrared absorption. The technique traditionally obtains single spectra from a sample, averaging the absorption information over a pre-determined aperture size. However, this averaging of information can be detrimental to pure biochemical analysis. The coupling of focal plane array (FPA) detectors to conventional FTIR systems and recent technical advances in FPA technology have allowed the concurrent rapid collection of thousands of infrared spectra over large areas of a sample, which has been particularly useful in tissue analysis. This novel technique presents a strong case for its use as a potential tool to aid in the clinic for disease diagnosis and assessment.