Rapid chemically selective 3D imaging in the mid-infrared

The emerging technique of mid-infrared optical coherence tomography (MIR-OCT) takes advantage of the reduced scattering of MIR light in various materials and devices, enabling tomographic imaging at deeper penetration depths. Because of challenges in MIR detection technology, the image acquisition time is, however, significantly longer than for tomographic imaging methods in the visible/near-infrared. Here we demonstrate an alternative approach to MIR tomography with high-speed imaging capabilities. Through femtosecond nondegenerate two-photon absorption of MIR light in a conventional Si-based CCD camera, we achieve wide-field, high-definition tomographic imaging with chemical selectivity of structured materials and biological samples in mere seconds. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

The emerging technique of mid-infrared optical coherence tomography (MIR-OCT) utilizes the reduced scattering of MIR light to achieve tomographic imaging at deeper penetration depths, but faces challenges in detection technology. This study demonstrates an alternative approach to MIR tomography with high-speed imaging capabilities using femtosecond nondegenerate two-photon absorption in a conventional Si-based CCD camera.