Large-image-format computed tomography imaging spectrometer for fluorescence microscopy

Multispectral imaging has significantly enhanced the analysis of fixed spec imens in pathology and cytogenetics. However, application of this technolog y to in vivo studies has been limited. This is due in part to the increased temporal resolution required to analyze changes in cellular function. Here we present a non-scanning instrument that simultaneously acquires full spe ctral information (460 nm to 740 nm) from every pixel within its 2-D field of view (200 mum x 200 mum) during a single integration time (typically, 2 seconds). The current spatial and spectral sampling intervals of the spectr ometer are 0.985 mum and 5 nm, respectively. These properties allow for the analysis of physiological responses within living biological specimens. (C ) 2001 Optical Society of America.