An optical system for a hyperspectral camera and a hyperspectral camera comprising such an optical system are disclosed. The optical system comprises fore optics (1000), an image sensor (1800), a slit (1500), relay optics (1200), a first optical element (2000) positioned before the slit (1500), where the first optical element (2000) is defocusing light in a direction parallel to the slit (1500) while keeping focus in a direction perpendicular to the slit (1500); and a second optical element (2100) positioned after the slit (1500), where the second optical element (2100) is compensating the defocus of the depicted scene introduced by the first element (2000).

A spectral sensor and a method for forming the spectral sensor is disclosed. The spectral sensor includes a planar waveguide on a substrate; a restriction mechanism that restricts a range of angles of incidence of light impinging onto the chirped input coupling grating; the chirped input grating formed to couple incident light into the planar waveguide, wherein the chirped input coupling grating comprises a first transverse chirp to provide a spectrally selective coupling of incident light Into the planar waveguide; a propagation region to filter out light that is not coupled into the planar waveguide; a detector array arranged on the opposite side of the propagation region from the chirped input coupling S grating to receive light coupled out of the planar waveguide and produce output signals representative of the light; and an electrical circuit to readout output signals from the detector array.

A spectral sensor and a method for forming the spectral sensor is disclosed. The spectral sensor includes a planar waveguide on a substrate; a restriction mechanism that restricts a range of angles of incidence of light impinging onto the chirped input coupling grating; the chirped input grating formed to couple incident light into the planar waveguide, wherein the chirped input coupling grating comprises a first transverse chirp to provide a spectrally selective coupling of incident light Into the planar waveguide; a propagation region to filter out light that is not coupled into the planar waveguide; a detector array arranged on the opposite side of the propagation region from the chirped input coupling S grating to receive light coupled out of the planar waveguide and produce output signals representative of the light; and an electrical circuit to readout output signals from the detector array.

A microscope device includes an opening (31) that includes a first slit and a second slit through which a plurality of pieces of light from an observation target resulting from a plurality of pieces of irradiation light emitted to the observation target and having different wavelengths pass, a dispersion element that wavelength-disperses the plurality of pieces of light passing through the opening (31), and an imaging element (32) that receives the plurality of pieces of light wavelength-dispersed by the dispersion element. The imaging element (32) performs light reception so that, as for the plurality of pieces of light wavelength-dispersed, zeroth-order light of light passing through the second slit and first-order light of light passing through the first slit do not overlap with each other.

A microscope device includes an opening (31) that includes a first slit and a second slit through which a plurality of pieces of light from an observation target resulting from a plurality of pieces of irradiation light emitted to the observation target and having different wavelengths pass, a dispersion element that wavelength-disperses the plurality of pieces of light passing through the opening (31), and an imaging element (32) that receives the plurality of pieces of light wavelength-dispersed by the dispersion element. The imaging element (32) performs light reception so that, as for the plurality of pieces of light wavelength-dispersed, zeroth-order light of light passing through the second slit and first-order light of light passing through the first slit do not overlap with each other.

Improved imaging and spectrographic devices and systems, and in particular hyperspectral systems and devices suitable for use in analysis of soils and other geological substances, as well as other types of samples. The hyperspectral systems comprise diffraction gratings and a linear image sensor, and optionally one or more of light sources, lenses, slits, and digital light processors, and corresponding control processors and memory. Among other advantages, the hyperspectral systems and devices enable detailed spectrographic analysis of specific points, regions, and/or areas in analytical samples such as core samples and other types of soil blocks, using visible, infrared, and/or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

A spectrometer for detecting an electromagnetic (EM) wave spectrum having one or more wavelength components within a spectral band of interest, and a method of detecting an electromagnetic (EM) wave spectrum having one or more wavelength components within a spectral band of interest. The method uses an entrance aperture; a dispersion and imaging optics containing at least one dispersion element; an exit aperture; a collection optics; and at least one single-pixel detector, each single-pixel detector sensitive to one or more of the wavelength components; and the method comprises the steps of spatially encoding at least one entrance slit of the entrance aperture along a direction substantially transverse to a direction of dispersion of the dispersion and imaging optics; creating, using the dispersion and imaging optics, dispersed images of the entrance aperture on a plane of the exit aperture, such that respective images at the different wavelength components are offset by different amounts of displacements along the direction of dispersion; spatially encoding a plurality of exit slits of the exit aperture along the direction substantially transverse to the direction of dispersion, wherein the exit aperture comprises a plurality of exit slits arranged in the direction of dispersion; gathering, using the collection optics, a total EM wave energy that enters the entrance aperture and exits the exit aperture to one of the at least one single-pixel detectors; changing at least one of an encoding pattern of the at least one entrance slits and an encoding pattern of the plurality of exit slits for a number of times; and measuring the output of the at least one detector for respective ones of the number of times for reconstructing the EM wave spectrum.

A spectrometer for detecting an electromagnetic (EM) wave spectrum having one or more wavelength components within a spectral band of interest, and a method of detecting an electromagnetic (EM) wave spectrum having one or more wavelength components within a spectral band of interest. The method uses an entrance aperture; a dispersion and imaging optics containing at least one dispersion element; an exit aperture; a collection optics; and at least one single-pixel detector, each single-pixel detector sensitive to one or more of the wavelength components; and the method comprises the steps of spatially encoding at least one entrance slit of the entrance aperture along a direction substantially transverse to a direction of dispersion of the dispersion and imaging optics; creating, using the dispersion and imaging optics, dispersed images of the entrance aperture on a plane of the exit aperture, such that respective images at the different wavelength components are offset by different amounts of displacements along the direction of dispersion; spatially encoding a plurality of exit slits of the exit aperture along the direction substantially transverse to the direction of dispersion, wherein the exit aperture comprises a plurality of exit slits arranged in the direction of dispersion; gathering, using the collection optics, a total EM wave energy that enters the entrance aperture and exits the exit aperture to one of the at least one single-pixel detectors; changing at least one of an encoding pattern of the at least one entrance slits and an encoding pattern of the plurality of exit slits for a number of times; and measuring the output of the at least one detector for respective ones of the number of times for reconstructing the EM wave spectrum.

An automatic analysis apparatus comprises: a light source generating light having a center wavelength equal to or shorter than 340 nm; a fluorescent substance excited by the light source light, and generates light together with transmitted light from the light source, having a wavelength of 340 nm to 800 nm; a condenser lens; at least one slit; a reaction cell holding a reaction solution where a specimen and reagent are mixed, and that the light source light and the light from the fluorescent substance enter; and a detector that detects light transmitted through the reaction cell. The light source, fluorescent substance, condenser lens, and slit are provided along a straight light corresponding to the optical axis. The width of the slit's opening is equal to or narrower than the width of a ray forming an image of the light source at the position of the slit.

An automatic analysis apparatus comprises: a light source generating light having a center wavelength equal to or shorter than 340 nm; a fluorescent substance excited by the light source light, and generates light together with transmitted light from the light source, having a wavelength of 340 nm to 800 nm; a condenser lens; at least one slit; a reaction cell holding a reaction solution where a specimen and reagent are mixed, and that the light source light and the light from the fluorescent substance enter; and a detector that detects light transmitted through the reaction cell. The light source, fluorescent substance, condenser lens, and slit are provided along a straight light corresponding to the optical axis. The width of the slit's opening is equal to or narrower than the width of a ray forming an image of the light source at the position of the slit.