Interferometric near infrared spectroscopy system

An interferometric near infrared spectroscopy, iNIRS, system comprising:

• a light emitting arrangement comprising:
• a light source configured to provide wavelength swept emission of light;
• a sample delivery channel coupled to the light source and arranged to be coupled to an object for directing light from the light source towards the object;
• and
• a reference channel coupled to the light source for receiving light therefrom;
• a light detecting arrangement comprising:
• a first sample receiving channel arranged to be coupled to the object for receiving first sample light therefrom;
• a second sample receiving channel arranged to be coupled to the object for receiving second sample light therefrom, the first and second sample light each comprising light emitted from the light source;
• and
• an interferometric optical detector coupled to:
• (i) the first sample receiving channel for receiving first sample light, (ii) the second sample receiving channel for receiving second sample light, and (iii) the reference channel for receiving reference light, and
• wherein the optical detector is arranged to combine:
• the reference light with the first sample light to provide light signals at a plurality of first beat frequencies between the first sample light and the reference light;
• and
• the reference light with the second sample light to provide light signals at a plurality of second beat frequencies between the second sample light and the reference light;
• wherein the first sample receiving channel is of a different length to the second sample receiving channel to inhibit spectral overlap between the first and second beat frequencies.

An interferometric near infrared spectroscopy, iNIRS, system comprising:

• a light emitting arrangement comprising:
• a light source configured to provide wavelength swept emission of light;
• a first sample delivery channel coupled to the light source and arranged to be coupled to an object for directing light from the light source towards the object;
• a second sample delivery channel coupled to the light source and arranged to be coupled to the object for directing light from the light source towards the object;
• and
• a reference channel coupled to the light source for receiving light therefrom;
• a light detecting arrangement comprising:
• a sample receiving channel arranged to be coupled to the object for receiving first and second sample light therefrom, the first sample light comprising light emitted from the light source which travelled along the first sample delivery channel and the second sample light comprising light emitted from the light source which travelled along the second sample delivery channel;
• and
• an interferometric optical detector coupled to:
• (i) the sample receiving channel for receiving first and second sample light, and (ii) the reference channel for receiving reference light, and wherein the optical detector is arranged to combine:
• the reference light with the first sample light to provide light signals at a plurality of first beat frequencies between the first sample light and the reference light;
• and
• the reference light with the second sample light to provide light signals at a plurality of second beat frequencies between the second sample light and the reference light;
• wherein the first sample delivery channel is of a different length to the second sample delivery channel to inhibit spectral overlap between the first and second beat frequencies.