Image acquisition apparatus, spectral apparatus, methods, and storage medium for use with same

A spectroscope or spectrometer, comprising:

• a collimator that operates to receive a light flux from a light source;
• a diffraction grating;
• and
• an imaging device,
• wherein the number of light fluxes entering the collimator is plural, and positions of a plurality of spectral sequences imaged at positions on the imaging device are relatively shifted in a direction parallel to a direction in which wavelengths of the spectral sequences are arrayed.

A spectral apparatus, comprising:

• a collimator that operates to form a light flux from a light source into a parallel light flux;
• a light flux splitter configured to split the light flux emitted by the collimator into a plurality of light fluxes, the angle of travel of each light flux of the plurality of light fluxes being different;
• a diffraction grating configured to emit each of the plurality of light fluxes at a different angle according to wavelength;
• an imaging optical system configured to collect the light emitted from the diffraction grating;
• and
• at least one light sensor or detector disposed near a focal point of the imaging optical system, and configured to acquire spectral information of the reflected and scattered light,
• wherein the light flux splitter is configured so that the plurality of light fluxes are overlaid at an incident pupil of the imaging optical system.

A method for controlling a two-dimensional image acquiring apparatus, the method comprising:

• defining a spectrum of wavelength ranges to use for acquiring the two-dimensional image such that the spectrum bands overlap or substantially overlap at a target region;
• receiving light reflected from the target region;
• separating the received light into two or more light fluxes having different wavelengths;
• and
• imaging the light fluxes separated from the received light to acquire or generate the two-dimensional image.

A computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program that operates to cause one or more processors to execute a method for controlling a two-dimensional image acquiring apparatus, the method comprising:

• defining a spectrum of wavelength ranges to use for acquiring the two-dimensional image such that the spectrum bands overlap or substantially overlap at a target region;
• receiving light reflected from the target region;
• separating the received light into two or more light fluxes having different wavelengths;
• and
• imaging the light fluxes separated from the received light to acquire or generate the two-dimensional image.