Life Sciences and Bio-Medicine
One of the remarkable exploits of SR IR microscopy is the probing of individual single cells and collection of biomolecular information with excellent spectral quality Moreover, high resolution IR imaging has been performed at sub-cellular level on wider biological systems and living structures. IR microscopy and imaging have also been used to track specific biochemical intracellular processes and to characterize tissues for cancer screening, diagnosis and following drug treatment.
Solid State Physics and Chemistry
Reactions within organic crystals attract considerable attention, both for developing environment-friendly solvent-free materials, and in crystal engineering. The kinetics of solid state reactions and their theoretical modelling depends on the ability to spectroscopically monitor, non-destructively, single crystallites in the microgram to picogram range. Another interesting example is given by the study of solid state physical and chemical properties of new materials, including nanoparticles and nanotubes.
Fine Arts, Cultural Heritage and Archeometry
IR microspectrometry is a versatile non-destructive method for the scientific investigation of artworks, craftsmanship or archaeological finds. The enhanced resolution offered by a synchrotron IR source has been crucial for the microscopy of paints or fabric sections as well as ancient surface structures. It has also been vital in improving the signal-to-noise ratio in microanalysis of very small material fragments like mineral particles in archaeological sites or organic residues.
Forensic Sciences
FTIR spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing the characterisation of forensic materials by simultaneously measuring spectra from thousands of different sample locations. Using complementary techniques broadens the range of IR imaging applications, e.g. from the analysis of organic residues including skin fragments, drug (and counterfeit) tablets, textile or soils, to the ability of detect trace materials from fingerprints or gunshots/explosives particles on surfaces.
Polymer Sciences
Infrared spectroscopy gives insight at the molecular level of the orientations and conformations of polymer chains: the FTIR method has proven to be the simplest and most informative way to obtain spectra of polymers both under static conditions, or following dynamic properties after external perturbations in correlation with differential IR spectra.
Geology
The high brightness of the IR synchrotron source is ideal for the study of of phases stable in the Earth up to pressures of 100,000 atmospheres using microscopic samples in (heated) Diamond Anvil Cells. High pressure/temperature experiments are important for modelling the chemical and physical properties of planetary interiors, such as the role of water within minerals in the deep crust, or chemical dependent viscosity changes in silcates which affect magma extrusion.
Environmental Science and Geo-Biology
SR IR microspectroscopy has opened new possibilities for in situ and in vivo biomineralization studies of environmental contaminants in biological systems and the impact of changes in biogeochemical enivronment on microbial cell surfaces (e.g. the effect of metals on binding characterisitcs of bacteria). Tests on experimentally grown biofilms can help us understand a whole series of systems from from bio-corrosion in steel pipes to origin-of-life processes.
Time-resolved Studies
Unlike conventional broadband IR sources, synchrotron radiation is produced in intense, short (10-100 picosecond) pulses which can be synchronized with external stimuli (e.g. laser, magnetic pulses) to follow the ultrafast chemical, biological or electronic response of the sample. Important areas at this timescale include electron-pair dynamics in high temperature superconductors, fast infrared detectors and emitters, and dynamic processes in photosynthesis and visual perception. Slower measurements will benefit from increased IR flux.