Snapshot spectral imaging with parallel metasystems.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 32948595.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abc7646 and PMC identifier 7500936.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Spectral imagers divide scenes into quantitative and narrowband spectral channels. They have become important metrological tools in many areas of science, especially remote sensing. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a snapshot spectral imager using a parallel optical processing paradigm based on arrays of metasystems. Our multi-aperture spectral imager weighs less than 20 mg and simultaneously acquires 20 image channels across the 795- to 980-nm spectral region. Each channel is formed by a metasurface-tuned filter and a metalens doublet. The doublets incorporate absorptive field stops, reducing cross-talk between image channels. We demonstrate our instrument's capabilities with both still images and video. Narrowband filtering, necessary for the device's operation, also mitigates chromatic aberration, a common problem in metasurface imagers. Similar instruments operating at visible wavelengths hold promise as compact, aberration-free color cameras. Parallel optical processing using metasystem arrays enables novel, compact instruments for scientific studies and consumer electronics.