Imaging spectrometry has mainly been a research tool, employing laboratory spectrographs and scientific cameras. This paper describes an add-on imaging spectrograph that provides a unique combination of high quality image in a small, rugged, industrial, easy-to-use component. The spectrograph is based on a prism/grating/prism (POP) dispersing element which provides straight optical axis, astigmatism free image and polarization independent throughput. A volume holographic transmission grating is used for high efficiency (up to 70%). The tubular optomechanical construction of the spectrograph is stable and small, D30 x Li 10 mm with F/2.8 numerical aperture and 2/3 inch image size.Equipped with C-mounts, the spectrograph plugs between lens and area camera, converting the camera to a spectral line imaging system. The spectrograph allows the utilization of rapidly developing monochrome camera techniques, like high speed digital cameras, smart cameras and CMOS sensors, in color and spectral analytical applications. It is the first component available for upgrading existing industrial monochrome vision systems with color/spectral capability without the need to change the basic platform hardware and software. The spectrograph brings the accuracy of spectral colorimetry to industrial vision and overcomes the complex calibration that is needed when an RGB color camera is applied to colorimetric applications. Other applications include NW imaging (up to 2500 mu), spectral microscopy, multichannel fiberoptics spectrometry and remote sensing.

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This paper presents an imaging spectrometer principle based on a novel prism-grating-prism (POP) element as the dispersive component and advanced camera solutions for on-line applications. The PGP element uses a volume type holographic plane transmission grating made of dichromated gelatin (DCG). Currently, spectrographs have been realized for 400-1050 nm region but applicable spectral region of the PGP is 380 -1800 nm. Spectral resolution is typically between 1.5 and 5 nm. The on-axis optical configuration and simple rugged tubular optomechanical construction of the spectrograph provide a good image quality and resistance to harsh environmental conditions. Spectrograph optics is designed to be interfaced to any standard CCD camera. Special camera structures and operating modes can be used for applications requiring on-line data interpretation and process control.

This paper describes a new system in which optical reflectance is used to test the pulse and vitality of oral mucosa or dental pulp. Radiation at red (660 nm) and near infra-red (850 nm) wavelengths are directed through a thin probe. The beam is directed into tissue and reflected back. Plethysmography is used to measure the pulse rate from the right forefinger. Reflected radiation is related to plethysmogram using a computer. Preliminary findings relating to the lips and gingiva in 9 healthy volunteers were promising. Preliminary tests showed that vital and nonvital pulps reflected the radiation differently. Pulpal pulse did not always correspond to plethysmogram from the right forefinger.

Current hyperspectral imagers are either bulky with good performance, or compact with only moderate performance. This paper presents a new hyperspectral technology which overcomes this drawback, and makes it possible to integrate extremely compact and high performance push-broom hyperspectral imagers for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and other demanding applications. Hyperspectral imagers in VIS/NIR, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR spectral ranges have been implemented. This paper presents the measured performance attributes for a VIS/NIR imager which covers 350 to 1000 nm with spectral resolution of 3 nm. The key innovation is a new imaging spectrograph design which employs both transmissive and reflective optics in order to achieve high light throughput and large spatial image size in an extremely compact format. High light throughput is created by numerical aperture of F/2.4 and high diffraction efficiency. Image distortions are negligible, keystone being <2 um and smile 0.13 nm across the full focal plane image size of 24 mm (spatially) x 6 m (spectrally). The spectrograph is integrated with an advanced camera which provides 1300 spatial pixels and image rate of 160 Hz. A higher resolution version with 2000 spatial pixels will produce up to 100 images/s. The camera achieves, with spectral binning, an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio of 800:1, orders of magnitude higher than any current compact VIS/NIR imager. The imager weighs only 1.4 kg, including fore optics, imaging spectrograph with shutter and camera, in a format optimized for installation in small payload compartments and gimbals. In addition to laboratory characterization, results from a flight test mission are presented.