Abstract: A system and method to search spectral databases and to identify unknown materials from multiple spectroscopic data in the databases. The methodology may be substantially automated and is configurable to determine weights to be accorded to spectroscopic data from different spectroscopic data generating instruments for improved identification of unknown materials. Library spectra from known materials are divided into training and validation sets. Initial, instrument-specific weighting factors are determined using a weight grid or weight scale. The training and validation spectra are weighted with the weighting factors and indicator probabilities for various sets of “coarse” weighting factors are determined through an iterative process. The finally-selected set of coarse weighting factors is further “fine tuned” using a weight grid with finer values of weights.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus to produce a streaming image of a sample during a time period when an attribute of the sample is changing. The streaming image can be viewed in such a manner so as to be able to follow a visible change in an attribute of the sample. The sample may be undergoing nucleation, aggregation, or chemical interaction. The present disclosure also describes methods and apparatus to determine a change in an attribute of a sample by detecting, analyzing, and comparing spectra of the sample taken at different times during the time period when the attribute of the sample is changing. The sample may be undergoing nucleation, aggregation, or chemical interaction.

Abstract: In one embodiment the disclosure relates to a method and a system for determining the corrected wavelength of a photon scattered by a sample. The method includes the steps of determining a wavelength of a photon scattered from a sample exposed to illuminating photons and passed through a tunable filter and correcting the determined wavelength of the photon as a function of the temperature of the tunable filter and as a function of the bandpass set point of the tunable filter. The step of correcting the determined wavelength can further include determining an offset and adding the offset to the determined wavelength of the photon.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a multimode imaging apparatus for simultaneously obtaining multiple wavelength-discriminative spectral images of a sample.

Abstract: Raman molecular imaging (RMI) is used to detect mammalian cells of a particular phenotype. For example the disclosure includes the use of RMI to differentiate between normal and diseased cells or tissues, e.g., cancer cells as well as in determining the grade of said cancer cells. In a preferred embodiment benign and malignant lesions of bladder and other tissues can be distinguished, including epithelial tissues such as lung, prostate, kidney, breast, and colon, and non-epithelial tissues, such as bone marrow and brain. Raman scattering data relevant to the disease state of cells or tissue can be combined with visual image data to produce hybrid images which depict both a magnified view of the cellular structures and information relating to the disease state of the individual cells in the field of view. Also, RMI techniques may be combined with visual image data and validated with other detection methods to produce confirm the matter obtained by RMI.

Abstract: A chemical imaging system is provided which uses a near infrared radiation microscope. The system includes an illumination source which illuminates an area of a sample using light in the near infrared radiation wavelength and light in the visible wavelength. A multitude of spatially resolved spectra of transmitted, reflected, emitted or scattered near infrared wavelength radiation light from the illuminated area of the sample is collected and a collimated beam is produced therefrom. A near infrared imaging spectrometer is provided for selecting a near infrared radiation image of the collimated beam. The filtered images are collected by a detector for further processing. The visible wavelength light from the illuminated area of the sample is simultaneously detected providing for the simultaneous visible and near infrared chemical imaging analysis of the sample. Two efficient means for performing three dimensional near infrared chemical imaging microscopy are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for compact dispersive imaging spectrometer. More specifically, one embodiment of the disclosure relates to a portable system for obtaining a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample having a first and a second spatial dimension. The portable system can include a photon emission source for sequentially illuminating a plurality of portions of said sample with a plurality of photons to produce photons scattered by the sample. The photon emission source can illuminate the sample along the first spatial dimension for each of plural predetermined positions of the second spatial dimension.

Abstract: A chemical imaging system is provided which uses a near infrared radiation microscope. The system includes an illumination source which illuminates an area of a sample using light in the near infrared radiation wavelength and light in the visible wavelength. A multitude of spatially resolved spectra of transmitted, reflected, emitted or scattered near infrared wavelength radiation light from the illuminated area of the sample is collected and a collimated beam is produced therefrom. A near infrared imaging spectrometer is provided for selecting a near infrared radiation image of the collimated beam. The filtered images are collected by a detector for further processing. The visible wavelength light from the illuminated area of the sample is simultaneously detected providing for the simultaneous visible and near infrared chemical imaging analysis of the sample. Two efficient means for performing three dimensional near infrared chemical imaging microscopy are provided.

Abstract: A chemical imaging system is provided which uses a near infrared radiation microscope. The system includes an illumination source which illuminates an area of a sample using light in the near infrared radiation wavelength and light in the visible wavelength. A multitude of spatially resolved spectra of transmitted, reflected, emitted or scattered near infrared wavelength radiation light from the illuminated area of the sample is collected and a collimated beam is produced therefrom. A near infrared imaging spectrometer is provided for selecting a near infrared radiation image of the collimated beam. The filtered images are collected by a detector for further processing. The visible wavelength light from the illuminated area of the sample is simultaneously detected providing for the simultaneous visible and near infrared chemical imaging analysis of the sample. Two efficient means for performing three dimensional near infrared chemical imaging microscopy are provided.

Abstract: A chemical imaging system is provided which uses a near infrared radiation microscope. The system includes an illumination source which illuminates an area of a sample using light in the near infrared radiation wavelength and light in the visible wavelength. A multitude of spatially resolved spectra of transmitted, reflected, emitted or scattered near infrared wavelength radiation light from the illuminated area of the sample is collected and a collimated beam is produced therefrom. A near infrared imaging spectrometer is provided for selecting a near infrared radiation image of the collimated beam. The filtered images are collected by a detector for further processing. The visible wavelength light from the illuminated area of the sample is simultaneously detected providing for the simultaneous visible and near infrared chemical imaging analysis of the sample. Two efficient means for performing three dimensional near infrared chemical imaging microscopy are provided.