Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2018
The ability of infrared microscopy to combine the chemical fingerprinting of FT-IR (Fourier Transform infrared) spectroscopy with the spatial resolving power of microscopy has led to its widespread use in numerous industries during the past two decades. The recent incorporation of imaging detectors into infrared microscopes has led to an increasing range of applications for the technique. The increase in spatial information provided by FT-IR imaging microscopes has also allowed image analysis techniques developed in light or electron microscopy to be utilized for the first time. This article will discuss FT-IR microspectroscopy and present some of the current applications.The ability of infrared microscopy to combine the chemical fingerprinting of FT-IR (Fourier Transform infrared) spectroscopy with the spatial resolving power of microscopy has led to its widespread use in numerous industries during the past two decades. The recent incorporation of imaging detectors into infrared microscopes has led to an increasing range of applications for the technique. The increase in spatial information provided by FT-IR imaging microscopes has also allowed image analysis techniques developed in light or electron microscopy to be utilized for the first time. This article will discuss FT-IR microspectroscopy and present some of the current applications.