Multimodal Snapshot Spectral Imaging and Polarization Imager with Video-Rate Processing

26 Apr 2018

LVIRA™ is the first commercially available multimodal snapshot spectral imaging and light field polarization imager. LVIRA™ simultaneously captures spectral, light field and polarization information for every pixel. Separately these dimensions provide a partial representation of the scene. LVIRA joins them to achieve better classification performance and provides researchers with new functionality for viewing targeted objects.

LVIRA™ is a snapshot spectral imager acquiring datacubes in a single integration, making it ideal for dynamic scene applications. Unlike existing snapshot spectral imagers, LVIRA™ captures AND processes the spectral dataset in real-time.

Performing calibration and spectral correlation algorithm processing at video-rates is the difference between collecting spectral data and actually solving a problem with it in dynamic environments. LVIRA™ process the images spectrally in real time, from initial gain and offset compensation and spectroradiometric calibration through decision oriented processing, including spectral correlation.

Researchers choose 16 bandpass filters or polarizers specific to their application’s region of interest. Due to the positioning of the 4x4 filter array on the lens’s front aperture, it can easily be replaced with a new filter array so that the camera can be re-tasked for different applications requiring different wavelengths. Bandpass filters can cover a contiguous range or non-contiguous wavelengths, additionally filters in the array can be narrow bands, broadband or complex in spectral response.

Materials comprising various objects in a scene reflect, absorb, and emit electromagnetic radiation in amounts that vary by wavelength. By measuring at multiple wavelengths, a multispectral signature can be generated to detect, characterize and uniquely identify any given material.

Imaging in different polarization angles is employed to capture unique surface features of an object. Polarization information finds surface properties of an object such as diffuse or specular reflection, scattering, and refractive index. Polarization has been of great significance to enhance discriminating power of vision-based detection and classification systems.

Light field (plenoptic) imaging records the radiance of light rays in a scene. Using a microlens array, the angular dimension of light intensity can be captured and a three-dimensional (3D) model of the scene can be constructed. Light field imaging can render depth estimation, scene recovery, digital refocusing, and dynamic depth-of-field.

No other commercial system offers the potential to collect multispectral combined with polarimetry and light field images, on a single focal plane, in a single frame, in a flexible, reconfigurable design.