PHOTOTHERMAL SPECTROSCOPY CORP.

Embodiments disclosed include methods and apparatus for Fluorescent Enhanced Photothermal Infrared (FE-PTIR) spectroscopy and chemical imaging, which enables high sensitivity and high spatial resolution measurements of IR absorption with simultaneous confocal fluorescence imaging. In various embodiments, the FE-PTIR technique utilizes combined/simultaneous OPTIR and fluorescence imaging that provides significant improvements and benefits compared to previous work by simultaneous detection of both IR absorption and confocal fluorescence using the same optical detector at the same time.

Detection of microplastics is accomplished using a combination of techniques. A position-detection technique such as crossed-polarization detection, autofluorescence detection, or photothermal infrared imaging is used to determine the locations of microplastics in a sample. Infrared absorption can be detected at those locations to characterize the microplastics. In this way the microplastic content can be located and characterized more quickly and accurately than using conventional techniques.

Methods and systems described herein detect autofluorescence of a sample. These methods and systems obviate the need for addition of fluorophores to samples to create IR absorption

Asymmetric interferometry is used with various embodiments of Optical Photothermal Infrared (OPTIR) systems to suppress thin film interference effects.

Apparatuses and methods for microscopic analysis of a sample by simultaneously characterizing infrared absorption characteristics of a plurality of spatially resolved locations are described herein. These apparatuses and methods improve sampling times while collecting microscopic data regarding composition of a sample across a wide field.

A system for infrared analysis over a wide field area of a sample is disclosed herein that relies on interference of non-diffractively separated beams of light containing image data corresponding to the sample, as well as a photothermal effect on the sample.

Methods and systems described herein detect autofluorescence of a sample. These methods and systems obviate the need for addition of fluorophores to samples to create IR absorption.

Detection of microplastics is accomplished using a combination of techniques. A position-detection technique such as crossed-polarization detection, autofluorescence detection, or photothermal infrared imaging is used to determine the locations of microplastics in a sample. Infrared absorption can be detected at those locations to characterize the microplastics. In this way the microplastic content can be located and characterized more quickly and accurately than using conventional techniques.

Methods described herein provide improvements on composite infrared absorption imaging. Scanning patterns described herein reduce erroneous measurements caused by thermal drift, as well as optical interference that occurs between light scattering from the top surface of the sample and light scattering from an underlying substrate.

Asymmetric interferometry is used with various embodiments of Optical Photothermal Infrared (OPTIR) systems to suppress thin film interference effects.