Hyperspectral Image Projector Applications

Abstract

For the past several years NIST has been developing, along with several collaborators, a Hyperspectral Image Projector (HIP). This scene projector produces high-resolution programmable spectra and projects them into dynamic two-dimensional images. The current digital micromirror device (DMD) based HIP prototype has a spatial resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and a spectral range of 450 nm to 2400 nm, with spectral resolution from 2 nm in the visible to 5 nm in the short-wave infrared. It disperses light from a supercontinuum fiber source across two DMDs to produce the programmable spectra, which then globally-illuminate a third DMD to form the spatial images. The HIP can simulate top-of-the atmosphere spectral radiance over a 10 mm x 14 mm, f/3 image, and this can be collimated to stimulate remote sensing instruments. Also, the spectral radiance of the projected scenes can be measured with a NIST-calibrated spectroradiometer, such that the spectral radiance projected into each pixel can be accurately known. The HIP was originally developed for applications in multi-spectral and hyperspectral imager testing, calibration, and performance validation, and examples of this application will be reviewed. Conceivable applications for the HIP in photovoltaic device characterization and optical medical imaging will also be discussed.