Compact spectrometer devices, methods, and applications

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems provide improved spectral imaging and detection and can be implemented as compact, light-weight and low-cost devices. An example device includes a mask that includes a plurality of apertures and positioned to receive light from an object of interest. A first lenslet array is positioned to receive light that passes through the plurality of apertures. Each lenslet of the first lenslet array receives the light from a corresponding aperture and produces collimated light that is incident on a dispersive element, such as a diffraction grating or a prism, which produces a plurality of spectrally separated components. A second lenslet array receives the spectrally separated components and focuses each of the spectrally separated components onto an image plane, where a sensor is located. The information obtained from the sensor can be used to determine or analyze spectral characteristics of the object, which can be in gaseous form.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.