Snapshot image-mapping spectrometer for hyperspectral fluorescence microscopy

Researchers have developed a snapshot hyperspectral imaging device, called the image-mapping spectrometer (IMS), for dynamic cellular imaging applications. The IMS replaces the camera in a digital imaging system, allowing the addition of high-speed snapshot spectrum acquisition capability to a variety of macroscopic imaging modalities to maximize collection speed. The motivation to develop a snapshot hyperspectral imaging technique has been driven by the high temporal resolution requirement in time-resolved multiplexed fluorescence imaging. IMS is a parallel acquisition instrument that captures a hyperspectral datacube without scanning. It also allows full light throughput across the whole spectral collection range due to its snapshot operating format and its operation is based on redirecting image zones through the use of a custom-fabricated optical element, known as an image mapper.