LCTF Raman chemical imaging in the near-infrared

Chemical imaging has tremendous potential as a quantitative imaging modality for chemical analysis. Chemical imaging integrates focal plane array technology and novel schemes for obtaining high spectral and spatial resolution imagery in the visible, near-infrared and mid-infrared, We have applied chemical imaging techniques to the characterization of a diverse array of materials, including human tissues, polymers, semiconductors, thin films, and corrosion products. This report describes recent technological advances in the development of liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) near-infrared imaging spectrometers suitable for high performance Raman microscopy. This technology is anticipated to have broad impact in a wide variety of commercial applications.