Optimum spectral window for imaging of art with optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been shown to have potential for important applications in the field of art conservation and archaeology due to its ability to image subsurface microstructures non-invasively. However, its depth of penetration in painted objects is limited due to the strong scattering properties of artists’ paints. VIS–NIR (400–2,400 nm) reflectance spectra of a wide variety of paints made with historic artists’ pigments have been measured. The best spectral window with which to use OCT for the imaging of subsurface structure of paintings was found to be around 2.2 μm. The same spectral window would also be most suitable for direct infrared imaging of preparatory sketches under the paint layers. The reflectance spectra from a large sample of chemically verified pigments provide information on the spectral transparency of historic artists’ pigments/paints as well as a reference set of spectra for pigment identification. The results of the paper suggest that broadband sources at ~2 μm are highly desirable for OCT applications in art and potentially material science in general.     

基于有机吡啶盐晶体的太赫兹频率上转换探测

利用激光泵浦国产有机吡啶盐4-(4-二甲基氨基苯乙烯基)甲基吡啶对甲基苯磺酸盐(4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate,DAST)晶体,通过非线性频率上转换方法实现了室温运转的高灵敏、快响应、宽频段太赫兹探测.高效生成了近红外上转换光,采集到其脉冲包络和光谱,获得了ns量级的时间分辨率,并换算太赫兹波的频率,实现了对太赫兹信息的全面表征.与商用高莱探测器相比,上转换方法在19 THz频点的探测灵敏度高4个数量级;在可探测频率3.15—29.82 THz范围内,响应度普遍高2—3个数量级.结果表明:室温下的光泵频率上转换探测方法在时间分辨率和响应度方面远优于传统的热探测器,极大地提高了差频有源太赫兹系统的动态范围,使差频源在太赫兹波谱分析和成像等领域具有更大的应用潜力.     

Awakening the Dumb Site to Realize Ultra-Broadband NIR Phosphor

Near-infrared (NIR) light sources have gained immense popularity in recent years due to their wide range of applications in various fields, including spectroscopy and biomedical imaging. However, the limited emission bandwidth of NIR phosphors is a significant bottleneck in their development. Here, a novel strategy is reported to broaden the emission bandwidth of NIR phosphors by awakening the dumb site. Na₄M₃Ta(PO₄)₆: Cr³⁺ (M = Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, In³⁺) phosphor is synthesized, which exhibits a greatly broadened bandwidth from 134 to 232 nm. Structural and spectral analysis reveals that the NaO₆ octahedral site has a severe t_2g-type distortion, making it a dumb site for Cr³⁺. By introducing larger In³⁺ at the M site, the angular distortion at the NaO₆ site decreases to the normal range, enabling the luminescence of Cr³⁺ again. Along with the broadened bandwidth, the emission peak also redshifts from 802 to 977 nm, giving advantages in NIR spectroscopy applications. Interestingly, the awakened luminescence at the NaO₆ site shows even better luminescence properties than the original M/TaO₆ octahedral site. These findings reveal a novel insight into the luminescence of Cr³⁺ at the octahedral site, which could potentially revolutionize the design of NIR phosphors.     

Endoscopic, rapid near-infrared optical tomography

This is believed to be the first demonstration of near-infrared (NIR) optical tomography employed at the endoscope scale and at a rapid sampling speed that allows translation to in vivo use. A spread-spectral-encoding technique based on a broadband light source and linear-to-circular fiber bundling was used to provide endoscopic probing of many source-detector fibers for tomography as well as parallel sampling of all source-detector pairs for rapid imaging. Endoscopic NIR tomography at an 8 Hz frame rate was achieved in phantoms and tissue specimens with a 12 mm probe housing eight sources and eight detectors. This novel approach provides the key feasibility studies to allow this blood-based contrast imaging technology to be attempted in detection of cancer in internal organs via endoscopic interrogation.     

PbSe量子点荧光匹配气体吸收光谱方法研究

PbSe量子点(PbSe-QDs)是红外波段的典型纳米材料,其具有大的玻尔半径、小的体材料禁带宽度(玻尔半径是46 nm,体材料禁带宽度是0.28 eV),因此,在近红外区域,PbSe-QDs具有强大的尺寸受限效应和较高的量子产出率。本文对不同尺寸的PbSe量子点的荧光光谱特性进行了研究,提出了一种通过调节PbSe量子点的量子尺寸匹配气体吸收光谱的方法。采用配位溶剂的方法制备了尺寸为4.6和6.1 nm的PbSe量子点,将该PbSe量子点沉积到GaN发光芯片上并经过紫外光照处理和固化后制成了光致发光的近红外光源,其中4.6 nm的PbSe-QDs的沉积厚度为671.5 μm,而6.1 nm的PbSe-QDs的沉积厚度为48 μm。将制成的近红外光源应用到C₂H₂气体和NH₃气体的检测实验中,实验结果表明,通过改变PbSe量子点的尺寸可以调节光源光致发光峰的位置,从而覆盖目标气体在近红外波段的吸收谱线。4.6 nm的光源发射光谱包含了1 500～1 550 nm之间的C₂H₂气体的全部的吸收谱;6.1 nm的光源发射光谱包含了1 900～2 060 nm之间的NH₃气体的全部的吸收谱。这种利用PbSe量子点尺寸的可调性匹配对应气体吸收谱的方法是可行和有效的,具有广阔的应用前景。     

Diode laser based light sources for biomedical applications

Diode lasers are by far the most efficient lasers currently available. With the ever‐continuing improvement in diode laser technology, this type of laser has become increasingly attractive for a wide range of biomedical applications. Compared to the characteristics of competing laser systems, diode lasers simultaneously offer tunability, high‐power emission and compact size at fairly low cost. Therefore, diode lasers are increasingly preferred in important applications, such as photocoagulation, optical coherence tomography, diffuse optical imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and terahertz imaging. This review provides an overview of the latest development of diode laser technology and systems and their use within selected biomedical applications. 670 nm external cavity diode laser for Raman spectroscopy built on a 13 × 4 mm² microbench (Copyright FBH/Schurian.com ).     

Non-invasive Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of CdHgTe Quantum Dots in Mouse Model

Near infrared CdHgTe quantum dots (QDs) acted as biomarker for in vivo imaging were synthesized in aqueous solution. The size and the fluorescence wavelength of the synthesized quantum dots can be arbitrary manipulated by using different refluxing time. In particular, the fluorescence wavelength was extended to near infrared range (700∼900 nm), which make the in vivo imaging possible. Meanwhile, the characteristics, such as morphology, size, spectra, stability and toxicity were investigated. The dynamic bio-distribution, clearance from blood, liver and intestine in living animal were in vivo monitored by a NIR imaging system. The circulation of CdHgTe QDs in living mice was addressed semi-quantitatively according to the changes of fluorescence intensity. The high stability as well as high fluorescence intensity makes QDs particular interested candidates for in vivo imaging studies.     

国产光栅近红外光谱仪扫描条件对检测结果的影响

以云南优质烤烟为实验材料,在国产光栅漫反射型近红外仪器上,研究了采集间隔、开机时长、背景测量频率等扫描条件对近红外检测结果的影响。研究结果表明：8,16 nm的光谱数据采集间隔对近红外烤烟定量分析的影响不大,为提高采集速度确定该仪器的采集间隔为16 nm;建立了包含开机时长因素在内的模型,提高模型的适应性;该仪器具有基线漂移提示功能,从而确定仪器背景采集的频率,可以降低分析误差,提高检测结果的准确度。     

RGDS-conjugated CdSeTe/CdS quantum dots as near-infrared fluorescent probe: preparation,characterization and bioapplication

In the experiments, high-quality, water-soluble and near-infrared (NIR)-emitting CdSeTe and CdSeTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) were successfully prepared. The average size of CdSeTe?CdS QDs was 7.68 nm and CdSeTe QDs was 4.33 nm. Arginine-glycine-aspartic-serine acid (RGDS) peptides were linked to CdSeTe/CdS QDs by N-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-N′-ehtylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N′-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The prepared RGDS-tagged NIR CdSeTe/CdS QDs (denoted as RGDS-CdSeTe/CdS) had an average diameter of 24.83 nm and were used for cancer cell immunofluorescence imaging. The characteristics of RGDS-conjugated CdSeTe/CdS such as morphology, structure, spectra, stability, cytotoxicity, and near-infrared microscopic imaging were investigated in detail. HepG2 cells were incubated with the novel fluorescent probe (RGDS-CdSeTe/CdS), which realized immunofluorescence targeting and imaging. The results reported here open up new perspectives for integrin-targeted near-infrared imaging and may aid in tumor detection including imaging-guided surgery.     

Applications of near-infrared spectroscopy to process analysis using fourier transform spectrometer

The applications of near-IR spectroscopy to process analysis using a Fourier transform spectrometer are described. In recent years, process analysis based on near-IR spectroscopy has received keen interest from a growing number of industries. Some configurations of Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) interferometers used for process analysis are introduced as special optical systems for the realization of stable and reproducible performance. Moreover, the applications of NIR spectroscopy to process analysis using FT-NIR spectrometers are overviewed and two examples of applications are described in more detail. Furthermore, process analytical technology (PAT) for the pharmaceutical industry is introduced as a future trend of the application of FT-NIR spectroscopy, and a dual-wavelength system that can combine NIR and IR spectra is discussed as a newly proposed PAT tool for understanding processes.     

Manipulating Light in Coupled Asymmetric Nanostructures Induced by a Visible–NIR Laser

We design an asymmetric nanostructure in the longitudinal direction at the visible–NIR range, which enables high enhancement factor and has the properties of Fano resonance induced by a visible–NIR laser. By simulating and analyzing the resonance frequency spectra of various nanorods, nanodipoles, and combined nanoantennas, we optimize the resonant spectra and enhanced factor of such nanoantennas. It has broad-band resonant spectra with a FWHM from 800 to 1,100 nm and possesses two resonant peaks at 870 and 1,000 nm, with an enhancement factor of 24. The current density distribution in such nanoantennas with different phases is also simulated in order to investigate its resonant mode. This theoretical study paves the way towards nanoscale lightwave control and spectral splitting. The designed nanodevices provide great potential for applications in ultrasensitive color sorters and biosensors induced by visible–NIR lasers.     

Development of Novel Nanocarrier-Based Near-Infrared Optical Probes for In Vivo Tumor Imaging

Optical imaging with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes is a useful diagnostic technology for in vivo tumor detection. Our plan was to develop novel NIR fluorophore-micelle complex probes. IC7-1 and IC7-2 were synthesized as novel lipophilic NIR fluorophores, which were encapsulated in an amphiphilic polydepsipeptide micelle “lactosome”. The fluorophore-micelle complexes IC7-1 lactosome and IC7-2 lactosome were evaluated as NIR fluorescent probes for in vivo tumor imaging. IC7-1 and IC7-2 were synthesized and then encapsulated in lactosomes. The optical properties of IC7-1, IC7-2, IC7-1 lactosome and IC7-2 lactosome were measured. IC7-1 lactosome and IC7-2 lactosome were administered to tumor-bearing mice, and fluorescence images were acquired for 48 h. IC7-1 and IC7-2 were successfully synthesized in 12% and 6.3% overall yield, and maximum emission wavelengths in chloroform were observed at 858 nm and 897 nm, respectively. Aqueous buffered solutions of IC7-1 lactosome and IC7-2 lactosome showed similar fluorescence spectra in chloroform and higher or comparable quantum yields and higher photostability compared with ICG. Both lactosome probes specifically visualized tumor tissue 6 h post-administration. IC7-1 lactosome and IC7-2 lactosome could be promising NIR probes for in vivo tumor imaging.     

Discrimination methods for biological contaminants in fresh-cut lettuce based on VNIR and NIR hyperspectral imaging

The rapid detection of biological contaminants such as worms in fresh-cut vegetables is necessary to improve the efficiency of visual inspections carried out by workers. Multispectral imaging algorithms were developed using visible-near-infrared (VNIR) and near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques to detect worms in fresh-cut lettuce. The optimal wavebands that can detect worms in fresh-cut lettuce were investigated for each type of HSI using one-way ANOVA. Worm-detection imaging algorithms for VNIR and NIR imaging exhibited prediction accuracies of 97.00% (RI_547/945) and 100.0% (RI_1064/1176, SI_1064-1176, RSI-I_{(1064-1173)/1064}, and RSI-II_{(1064-1176)/(1064+1176)})_, respectively. The two HSI techniques revealed that spectral images with a pixel size of 1 × 1 mm or 2 × 2 mm had the best classification accuracy for worms. The results demonstrate that hyperspectral reflectance imaging techniques have the potential to detect worms in fresh-cut lettuce. Future research relating to this work will focus on a real-time sorting system for lettuce that can simultaneously detect various defects such as browning, worms, and slugs.     

Photoacoustic microscopy

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a hybrid in vivo imaging technique that acoustically detects optical contrast via the photoacoustic effect. Unlike pure optical microscopic techniques, PAM takes advantage of the weak acoustic scattering in tissue and thus breaks through the optical diffusion limit (∼1 mm in soft tissue). With its excellent scalability, PAM can provide high‐resolution images at desired maximum imaging depths up to a few millimeters. Compared with backscattering‐based confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography, PAM provides absorption contrast instead of scattering contrast. Furthermore, PAM can image more molecules, endogenous or exogenous, at their absorbing wavelengths than fluorescence‐based methods, such as wide‐field, confocal, and multi‐photon microscopy. Most importantly, PAM can simultaneously image anatomical, functional, molecular, flow dynamic and metabolic contrasts in vivo. Focusing on state‐of‐the‐art developments in PAM, this Review discusses the key features of PAM implementations and their applications in biomedical studies.     

Near-Infrared-Absorbing Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy

Photothermal therapy, an excellent therapeutic approach, has received much attention in recent years. Herein, a novel diketopyrrolopyrrole polymer (DPP-BDP) is prepared, which shows intense near-infrared (NIR) optical absorption and admirable photothermal conversion efficacy. Impressively, after assembly into nanoparticles (DB-FA), the as-prepared conjugated polymer demonstrates a uniformly distributed size around 200 nm with remarkable NIR absorption at 808 nm. Additionally, it displays high biocompatibility and photostability. More interestingly, the obtained DB-FA NPs are uptaken by cancer cells and present excellent anticancer in vitro and in vivo under 0.8 W cm⁻² or 1 W cm⁻² NIR laser irradiation, respectively. Hence, this work is expected to pave the way for using conjugated-polymer nanoparticles as a powerful photothermal agents for anticancer applications.     

银纳米链状材料的制备及近红外吸收性质

报道了利用水/油相界面反应,采用湿化学法合成银纳米链状材料的方法,并对这种材料的近红外吸收性质和光热转换性质进行了研究。TEM分析表明,银纳米材料为链状结构,直径约为50nm,长度分布范围较宽,从几十纳米至几百纳米。这种材料具有强的近红外吸收特性,随着还原剂加入量的增加,吸收带逐渐展宽(800～1300nm),而且平坦。这种材料具有优异光热转换性质,一经808nm激光照射,温度迅速提高。该材料优异的近红外吸收和光热转换性质,使其在红外断层成像和近红外热疗等领域具有广阔的应用前景。     

Size‐Dependence of the Melting Temperature of Individual Au Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles have an immense importance in various fields, such as medicine, catalysis, and various technological applications. Nanoparticles exhibit a significant depression in melting point as their size goes below ≈10 nm. However, nanoparticles are frequently used in high temperature applications such as catalysis where temperatures often exceed several 100 degrees which makes it interesting to study not only the melting temperature depression, but also how the melting progresses through the particle. Using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, the melting process of gold nanoparticles in the size range of 2–20 nm Au nanoparticles combined with molecular dynamics studies is investigated. A linear dependence of the melting temperature on the inverse particle size is confirmed; electron microscopy imaging reveals that the particles start melting at the surface and the liquid shell formed then rapidly expands to the particle core.     

Folate Conjugated CdHgTe Quantum Dots with High Targeting Affinity and Sensitivity for In vivo Early Tumor Diagnosis

CdHgTe-folate conjugates, acting as novel active-targeting fluorescence probes, were prepared by covalent conjugation of CdHgTe QDs and folic acid. Their characteristics, such as optical spectra, stability and cancer cell targeting were investigated in detail. The fluorescence wavelength of CdHgTe-folate conjugates was 790 nm and a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of them was 50–70 nm. Their fluorescence stability could satisfy the need of long and continuous fluorescence imaging. The in vivo dynamic bio-distribution of CdHgTe-folate conjugates in S180 tumor beard mouse model was monitored by a NIR imaging system. The resultes indicated that CdHgTe-folate conjugates targeted to tumor effectively. The high fluorescence intensity together with targeting effect makes CdHgTe-folate conjugates promising candidates for imaging, monitoring and early diagnosis of cancer at molecular and cell level.     

Large aperture phase-coded diffractive lens for achromatic and 16° field-of-view imaging with high efficiency

Diffractive lenses (DLs) can realize high-resolution imaging with light weight and compact size. Conventional DLs suffer large chromatic and off-axis aberrations, which significantly limits their practical applications. Although many achromatic methods have been proposed, most of them are used for designing small aperture DLs, which have low diffraction efficiencies. In the designing of diffractive achromatic lenses, increasing the aperture and improving the diffraction efficiency have become two of the most important design issues. Here, a novel phase-coded diffractive lens (PCDL) for achromatic imaging with a large aperture and high efficiency is proposed and demonstrated experimentally, and it also possesses wide field-of-view (FOV) imaging at the same time. The phase distribution of the conventional phase-type diffractive lens (DL) is coded with a cubic function to expand both the working bandwidth and the FOV of conventional DL. The proposed phase-type DL is fabricated by using the laser direct writing of grey-scale patterns for a PCDL of a diameter of 10 mm, a focal length of 100 mm, and a cubic phase coding parameter of 30π. Experimental results show that the working bandwidth and the FOV of the PCDL respectively reach 50 nm and 16° with over 8% focusing efficiency, which are in significant contrast to the counterparts of conventional DL and in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. This work provides a novel way for implementing the achromatic, wide FOV, and high-efficiency imaging with large aperture DL.     

Near-Infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging for non-destructive quality assessment of cereal grains

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combines spectroscopy and imaging, providing information about the chemical properties of a material and their spatial distribution. It represents an advance of traditional Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The present work reviews the most recent applications of NIR spectroscopy for cereal grain evaluation, then focuses on the use of HSI in this field. The progress of research from ground material to whole grains and single kernels is detailed. The potential of NIR-based methods to predict protein content, sprout damage and α-amylase activity in wheat and barley is shown, in addition to assessment of quality parameters in other cereals such as rice, maize and oats, and the estimation of fungal infection. This analytical technique also offers the possibility to rapidly classify grains based on properties such as variety, geographical origin, kernel hardness, etc. Further applications of HSI are expected in the near future, for its potential for rapid single-kernel analysis.