Compact Two-dimensional-ultrawide-field-of-view Broadband High-spectral-resolution Snapshot Imaging Spectrometer

For wide-area reconnaissance and surveillance systems, ultrawide field of view, real-time measurement and compact size are very important. This article presents a compact two-dimensional-ultrawide-field-of-view broadband high-spectral-resolution snapshot imaging spectrometer ( 2DUFBHSIS ), which consists of an imaging microlens array, multiple optical fibers, seven identical collimating microlens arrays, seven identical optical filters, seven identical planar transmission gratings, and seven identical detectors. The imaging microlens array is divided into seven identical parts in the horizontal direction, each part coupled to a separate collimating microlens array through optical fibers. The 2DUFBHSIS employs a parallel architecture to effectively balance key performance requirements, including ultrawide field of view, broad spectral coverage, high spectral resolution, real-time spectral imaging and a compact overall design. The theoretical analysis and simulation results are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept. The 2DUFBHSIS can simultaneously achieve two-dimensional ultrawide-field-of-view (e.g. 105°×80°), broad spectral range (e.g. 350 nm), high spectral resolution (superior to 10 nm in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm), real-time measurement, and compact size (e.g. overall size is less than 130 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm). The 2DUFBHSIS has great potential for wide-area optical reconnaissance and surveillance on remote sensing platforms (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters).