An apparatus incorporated within a spectroscopic imaging system, typically a microscope, but also applicable to other image gathering platforms, namely fiberscopes, macrolens imaging systems and telescopes employing a polarizing beam splitting element is disclosed. The apparatus allows simultaneous spectroscopic (i.e. chemical) imaging and rapid acquisition spectroscopy to be performed without the need for moving mechanical parts or time sequenced sampling and without introducing significant optical signal loss or degradation to the spectroscopic imaging capability. In addition, the apparatus affords a more compact design, an improved angular field of view and an improved overall ruggedness of optical design at a lower manufacturing and maintenance cost compared to previous devices.