Transmission image of hair cross-section Micro ATR-FTIR imaging has greatly improved spatial resolution compared to the conventional transmission FTIR microscopy, and showed that the achieved resolution is beyond the diffraction limit for infrared light in air. This development opened up many new areas of study, which were previously ruled out by the inadequate spatial resolution. 

Using ATR-FTIR imaging we demonstrated that the high sμpatial resolution allowed us to obtain chemical images of the cross-section of a human hair  (see chemical image on the left, the size of the image is 50 x 50 μm2) without recourse to an expensive synchrotron source of radiation and with a high spatial resolution. We also collaborated with Unilever on topics related to hair treatment.

Key References:

  • Chan K. L.A., Kazarian S. G Correcting the effect of dispersion and refraction of light on FT-IR spectroscopic imaging in transmission through thick infrared windows Analytical Chemistry 85 (2013) 1029-1036 (doi)
  • Chan K. L. A., Kazarian S. G., Mavraki A., Williams D. R., FTIR imaging of human hair with a high spatial resolution without the use of a synchrotron, Applied Spectroscopy 59 (2005) 149-155.
  • Chan K. L. A., Kazarian S.G. New opportunities in micro and macro ATR-IR spectroscopic imaging: spatial resolution and sampling versatility, Applied Spectroscopy. 57 (2003) 381-389.
  • Chan K. L. A., Tay, F. H., Taylor C., Kazarian S. G., A novel approach for in situ diffusion study in human hair using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging, Applied Spectroscopy 62, 1041-1044 (2008).