Compact snapshot multispectral imaging system

A method for providing a combined array of spatial and spectral images, the method comprising the steps of:

• spectrally filtering into each one substantially spectral band from a plurality of substantially spectral bands, each substantially spectral band having a substantially different predetermined central wavelength, electromagnetic radiation;
• the electromagnetic radiation originating from a predetermined object;
• the filtered electromagnetic radiation in one substantially spectral band being incident onto one optical element from an array of optical elements;
• said an array of optical elements being separate from a filter performing the spectral filtering;
• imaging, utilizing the array of optical elements, the incident filtered electromagnetic radiation a detector array;
• detecting, with one detector from a detector array, electromagnetic radiation imaged by said one optical element;
• and
• generating, at the detector array, a substantially co-registered array of images.

An imager comprising:

• a filter substantially operating as a filter array;
• spectral characteristics of at least some filters from said filter array substantially varying across said filter array;
• an array of optical elements;
• the array of optical elements being separate from the filter;
• each optical element from said array of optical elements optically disposed to receive electromagnetic radiation transmitted through one filter from said filter array;
• the electromagnetic radiation originating from a predetermined object;
• and
• a detector array of detector elements;
• each detector element from said detector array comprising at least two pixels;
• said each optical element from said array of optical elements being optically disposed to substantially image the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through said one filter onto at least one detector element from said detector array;
• said array of optical elements generating, at the detector array, a substantially co-registered array of images.