Hyperspectral mid-infrared single-pixel microscopy

Mid-infrared (MIR) hyperspectral imaging allows for spatially resolved chemical imaging, making it highly attractive for many branches. However, expensive MIR array detector technology limits its application. Here, we present a cost-effective MIR hyperspectral detection system based on a single-pixel imaging approach using an MIR-enhanced digital micromirror device. For illumination an MIR supercontinuum source was used completing the MIR hyperspectral microscope. It allows acquiring hyperspectral cubes with 64x64 pixels and 120 nm spectral resolution within ≈450 ms. The developed microscope provides fast MIR hyperspectral imaging with a tunable field of view and tunable spatial resolution based on cost-effective components. Thus, it will bring hyperspectral imaging into new fields and increase sample throughput due to its fast-imaging speed.