High-resolution Fourier-transform infrared chemical imaging with multiple synchrotron beams

Conventional Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopic systems are limited by an inevitable trade-off between spatial resolution, acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sample coverage. We present an FTIR imaging approach that substantially extends current capabilities by combining multiple synchrotron beams with wide-field detection. This advance allows truly diffraction-limited high-resolution imaging over the entire mid-infrared spectrum with high chemical sensitivity and fast acquisition speed while maintaining high-quality SNR.