Ideal for next-generation industrial inspection, medical diagnosis and security applications, CMOS imagers with integrated hyperspectral filters enable compact fast hyperspectral imaging.

San Francisco (USA) and Leuven (Belgium) – January 31, 2013 – At SPIE Photonics West 2013, imec presents a prototype hyperspectral imager for snapshot and video acquisition. Being fast, compact and cost-efficient, imec’s CMOS-based imaging systems with integrated hyperspectral filters are suited for multiple industrial vision applications. Imec is currently sampling the line scan version of its hyperspectral imaging solution, offering a ready-to-use evaluation kit to the industry to line scan and analyze specific sample material.

Imec’s prototype hyperspectral imager for snapshot and video captures an entire multispectral image at one discrete point in time. The imager is achieved by applying a hyperspectral filter in a novel tiled lay-out on a commercially available CMOS-based image sensor (CMOSIS CMV2000, 2 megapixel, max 340fps). The imager and off-the-shelf fore-optics simultaneously duplicates the scene onto each filter tile, acquiring multispectral image cubes of 256x256 pixels over 32 bands in the spectral range of 600-1000nm at up to 340 cubes per second—compliant to normal machine vision illumination levels. Due to its simple cube assembly process, the camera is able to acquire real-time hyperspectral video.

Imec’s line scan solution monolithically integrates hyperspectral filters on a CMOSIS CMV4000 imager (4 megapixel, max 180fps). It scans 100 spectral bands in the 600-1000nm wavelength range. The filter bandwidth (Full Width Half Max) is about 10nm across the spectral range, with a transmission efficiency of ~85%. The speed of the system corresponds to an equivalent speed of 2,000 lines per second, significantly exceeding current state-of-the-art hyperspectral sensors.

Imec is the first to sample CMOS integrated hyperspectral imaging sensors, giving the industry access to a compelling innovative technology. Evaluation kits of imec’s line scan solution are available now. They are fast and easy to set-up, enabling hyperspectral scanning and analysis of sample material, and delivering relevant test data within a few days after installation. The kits include all required components, from imager to host PC and software, and can be easily rebuilt into different configurations. During the course of 2013, imec expects to also launch evaluation systems compatible with its novel hyperspectral sensor for hyperspectral snapshot and video acquisition.

Imec’s prototype hyperspectral camera for video and snapshot.

About imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of close to 2,000 people includes more than 600 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2011, imec's revenue (P&L) was about 300 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be. 

_{Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shangai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).}

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