Compact Image Slicing Spectrometer (ISS) for hyperspectral fluorescence microscopy.

An image slicing spectrometer (ISS) for microscopy applications is presented. Its principle is based on the redirecting of image zones by specially organized thin mirrors within a custom fabricated component termed an image slicer. The demonstrated prototype can simultaneously acquire a 140 nm spectral range within its 2D field of view from a single image. The spectral resolution of the system is 5.6 nm. The FOV and spatial resolution of the ISS depend on the selected microscope objective and for the results presented is 45 x 45 microm(2) and 0.45 microm respectively. This proof-of-concept system can be easily improved in the future for higher (both spectral and spatial) resolution imaging. The system requires no scanning and minimal post data processing. In addition, the reflective nature of the image slicer and use of prisms for spectral dispersion make the system light efficient. Both of the above features are highly valuable for real time fluorescent-spectral imaging in biological and diagnostic applications.