Abstract

Molecular spectroscopy in the mid-infrared (MIR) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (3–25μm) has been a cornerstone analytical technique widely adapted across the biological, chemical, and physical sciences. Applications range from understanding mesoscale trends in climate science via atmospheric monitoring to microscopic investigations of cellular biological systems via protein characterization. And despite the steady progress of more than 50 years of laser-based research, it is remarkable that the most widely used spectroscopic tool in this spectral region continues to be the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, consisting of a thermal light source and mechanically-scanned Michelson interferometer.

© 2019 IEEE