Hyperspectral imaging
AssigneeLambda-X
InventorDidier Beghuin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein is a hyperspectral imaging system in which a polarising beam splitter, a Wollaston prism, an optical system, and a plane mirror are arranged on an optical axis of the imaging system. An imaging detector is provided on which radiation is focused by an imaging lens. The Wollaston prism is imaged on itself by the optical system and the plane mirror so that translation of the Wollaston prism in a direction parallel to a virtual split plane of the prism effectively provides an optical path length difference that is the same for all points in the object field.
Claims15
A method of performing hyperspectral imaging, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving polarised radiation at a first Wollaston prism located at a first position;
- b) separating the polarised radiation into two orthogonally polarised components using the first Wollaston prism;
- c) directing the two orthogonally polarised components to a second position using relay optics, the first Wollaston prism located at the first position being imaged at the second position;
- d) recombining the two orthogonally polarised components into recombined polarised radiation at the second position;
- e) projecting the recombined polarised radiation into a single polarisation state using at least one polariser;
- and
- f) modulating the recombined polarised radiation to interfere in the imaging plane;
- wherein step f) comprises translating the first Wollaston prism in a direction parallel to its virtual split plane to modulate the recombined polarised radiation.
A hyperspectral imaging system for performing hyperspectral imaging, the system comprising:
- a first Wollaston prism located at a first position for separating polarised radiation into two orthogonally polarised components;
- an optical system for directing the two orthogonally polarised components to a second position and for imaging the first Wollaston prism at the second position;
- recombining means for recombining the two orthogonally polarised components into recombined polarised radiation at the second position, the recombining means including at least one polariser;
- an imaging detector having an imaging plane;
- and
- an imaging lens for focusing the recombined polarised radiation on the imaging plane of the imaging detector;
- and
- translation means for translating at least the first Wollaston prism in a direction parallel to its virtual split plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.