Hyperspectral imaging is defined as those technologies that have the ability to break down the visible wavelengths of light into narrower bands. The human eyesight cannot differentiate between these slight color variations; however, computers can do so. This capability of computers makes hyperspectral imaging valuable for several tasks. For instance, determining the chemical composition of objects in a particular image can be achieved through this method.
Numerous Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs can acquire benefits from these data-rich hyperspectral and polarimetric images. However, the problem faced is that the equipment essential for capturing those images is still quite bulky.
Recently, researchers developed a new optical sensor which might lead to a considerable reduction of problems currently faced in respect of the equipment. This is because the new sensor is tiny enough to be installed in a smartphone and can still be polarimetric and hyperspectral imaging. This is colossal news for Light Sensors Market as the device is not only small but also user-friendly. This means that AI capabilities can now be integrated into fields like biomedicine and astronomy.
Several large devices in the market have the capability to capture hyperspectral and polarimetric images. On the other hand, smartphone-sized imaging technologies have been full of hurdles and problems till now. For instance, cell phone camera technologies are designed in such a manner that very slight errors occur in the alignment of the assorted wavelengths of light in the final image. The result is not a big thing for taking family photos; nevertheless, it becomes a problem for analyzing the scientific image. The very problem augments when the camera can capture more colors, which is exactly what happens with hyperspectral technologies.
Hence, the researchers created new light sensors that can simultaneously register four spectral channels and three polarization channels. The team has revealed that their creation was inspired by mantis shrimp as they are particularly good at precisely capturing subtle gradations of color. The sensor imitates the eye of mantis shrimp and is called the SIMPOL (Stomatopod Inspired Multispectral and Polarization Sensitive) sensor.
A prototype of the SIMPOL sensor was developed and was compared with the charge-coupled devices (CCDs) present in smartphones. Hence, researchers noted that the latter only uses three spectral imaging sensors with the ability to detect red, green, and blue and has only two polarization channels. In contrast, the SIMPOL prototype could determine the four color channels and have three polarization channels at one point. The core distinction lies in the fact that CCDs depend on imaging sensors spread across several points.
This study demonstrated that it is certainly possible to create smaller and more efficient sensors capable of capturing hyperspectral and polarimetric images simultaneously. This may further open doors for a new breed of organic sensing technologies.
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