Chemical Imaging of Cotton Fibers Using an Infrared Microscope and a Focal-Plane Array Detector

In this presentation, the chemical imaging of cotton fibers with an infrared microscope and a Focal-Plane Array (FPA) detector will be discussed. Infrared spectroscopy can provide us with information on the structure and quality of cotton fibers. In addition, FPA detectors allow for simultaneous spectral acquisition at hundreds of sampling points. This property facilitates mapping of large sample areas in a reduced amount of time. Examples of our ongoing efforts to use FT-IR imaging for cotton fibers harvested at various points of secondary cell wall developmental will be presented.