An infrared hyperspectral camera returns images from nanosatellite

A Finnish nanosatellite has now reached space equipped with the world’s smallest infrared hyperspectral camera, which has been developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The Reaktor Hello World nanosatellite was launched into space on 29 November by the Finnish space technology startup Reaktor Space Lab. New nanosatellites, such as this, weighing only a couple of kilograms are relatively cheap and fast to build. In groups, nanosatellites can form cost-efficient constellations.

New QCL chemical imaging system from Agilent

Agilent’s 8700 Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) chemical imaging system combines quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology with rapid scanning optics and intuitive Agilent Clarity software. Unlike other QCL imaging systems that use 2D focal plane array (FPA) detectors, the 8700 LDIR employs a single-element electrically cooled detector to eliminate laser coherence artefacts from images and spectra. It has the ability to survey and image large sample areas and then interrogate smaller areas of interest in more detail without changing any optics.

Compact hyperspectral system captures “5D” images

Researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ilmenau University of Technology and Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Germany, have developed a compact imaging system that can measure the three-dimensional shape as well as the spectral properties of objects with high speed and accuracy.

Multispectral images from ground glass, lens-less camera

A new camera technology developed by scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) can take sharp, colour images without using a lens and colour filters. Using only a piece of ground glass and a monochrome sensor, the scientists created multi-coloured images by “reverse engineering” the light that is scattered by the translucent matt surface of the ground glass, thus obtaining the original image that was projected on to it.

Imec demonstrates SWIR hyperspectral imaging camera

Imec has developed its first shortwave infrared (SWIR) range hyperspectral imaging camera. It integrates CMOS-based spectral filters together with InGaAs-based imagers. For a number of years, semiconductor CMOS-based hyperspectral imaging filters, designed and manufactured by Imec, have been integrated monolithically onto silicon-based CMOS image sensors.

High-speed ultrasonic hyperspectral imaging camera

Imec has introduced its second generation, high-speed Snapscan hyperspectral imaging camera. This uses an ultrasonic speed piezo motor stage and innovative software to enable the acquisition of high-resolution, hyperspectral images in less than 200 ms. The Snapscan camera handles all scanning internally using the miniaturised ultrasonic piezo scanning stage, thereby avoiding the need for external scanning movement.