Rapid multiplexed infrared 3d nano-tomography

A method for spectroscopic imaging of a transparent or partially transparent sample, comprising:

• a. directing a modulated infrared beam along an optical path to photo-thermally heat an area of a sample;
• b. directing a probe beam one or multiple times through a location on the sample to enhance the spatial resolution due to interference between the probe beam, to enhance the photo-thermally induced modulation of the probe beam such that they are incident within the area heated by the modulated infrared beam, or both, wherein the probe beam has a shorter wavelength than the infrared beam;
• and
• c. measuring light that is reflected, transmitted, re-emitted inelastically, or any combination thereof for each probe beam.

A method for photo-thermal spectroscopic imaging, comprising:

• a. directing a modulated infrared beam along an optical path to photo-thermally heat an area of a sample;
• b. directing one or more than one coherent probe beams to the sample such that they are incident within the area heated by the modulated infrared beam, wherein each probe beam has a shorter wavelength than the infrared beam, wherein each coherent probe beam has an aperture function comprising an amplitude and phase;
• and
• c. measuring light that is reflected, transmitted, re-emitted inelastically, or any combination thereof for each probe beam;
• wherein the amplitude and phase of the aperture function of each coherent probe beam is altered to correct aberrations, achieve spatial resolution beyond the Abbe limit of the probe beam, or otherwise engineer a point spread function, wherein the amplitude and phase of the aperture function are altered either before or after the sample.

A system comprising:

• a. a modulated infrared light source;
• b. an optical system for generating one or more coherent probe beams, wherein each coherent probe beam has an aperture function comprising an amplitude and phase;
• c. means for directing the infrared and probe beams to a sample;
• d. a device for moving the probe beam and the sample relative to each other;
• e. light detectors and filtering optics for each probe beam;
• f. demodulation and digitization electronics for each probe beam;
• and
• g. means for altering the amplitude and phase of the aperture function of each coherent probe beam to correct aberrations, achieve spatial resolution beyond the Abbe limit of the probe beam, or otherwise engineer a point spread function.