Hyperspectral imaging: a tool for biological measurements

We present a hyperspectral imaging device (HSI) based on a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer able to build a hyperspectral cube with high photon collection efficiency (throughput). The device allows to obtain a single image of a sample treated with different fluorescence substances and to unambiguously discriminate them by observing their spectral fingerprint. Furthermore it allows studying biological samples with colorimetric analysis. An experiment carried out with cyanines, fluorescein and quantum dots emitting in the yellow-orange region demonstrates the potentiality of multi-labeled fluorescence microscopy without the use of multiple filter set or dispersive means. The spectra of some biological samples have been computed to demonstrate the validity of the HSI device coupled with an inverted microscope.