Patent ID: 7242468

Claim:
In a system for producing a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample where the system includes a device for emitting photons to illuminate the sample to thereby produce photons scattered by the sample, an optical device for receiving the scattered photons to thereby produce imaging photons, and a charged couple device for receiving the imaging photons and producing therefrom a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image, the improvement comprising: a microlens array collecting the scattered photons to deliver imaging photons; a first optical fiber bundle of M fibers receiving the imaging photons via the microlens array; a second optical fiber bundle of N fibers receiving the imaging photons via the first optical fiber bundle and transmitting the imaging photons to the charge coupled device; an optical fiber switch coupling the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle; and a control system to control the charge coupled device and the optical fiber switch.