Bio-inspired Compact, High-resolution Snapshot Hyperspectral Imaging System with 3D Printed Glass Lightguide Array

TL;DR

This paper presents a bio-inspired, compact hyperspectral imaging system using 3D printed glass lightguides that enhances spatial and spectral resolution while reducing system complexity and cost.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 3D printed glass lightguide array for snapshot hyperspectral imaging, simplifying the system and improving performance.

Findings

Successful demonstration with biological samples

Enhanced spatial and spectral resolution achieved

Reduced system complexity and cost

Abstract

To address the major challenges to obtain high spatial resolution in snapshot hyperspectral imaging, 3D printed glass lightguide array has been developed to sample the intermediate image in high spatial resolution and redistribute the pixels in the output end to achieve high spectral resolution. Curved 3D printed lightguide array can significantly simplify the snapshot hyperspectral imaging system, achieve better imaging performance, and reduce the system complexity and cost. We have developed two-photon polymerization process to print glass lightguide array, and demonstrated the system performance with biological samples. This new snapshot technology will catalyze new hyperspectral imaging system development and open doors for new applications from UV to IR.