Concurrent Multiview Discrete Spectral Imaging Device from the VIS to the NIR

Instruments used for multispectral and stereoscopic imaging are often large, operationally time-consuming, expensive, and are dedicated devices used in well controlled settings. A single instrument capable of performing both tasks, concurrently, in a single acquisition, has been developed. The optical design of a hand-held device which is capable of imaging multiple spectral bands as well as multiple perspective views of a field of view, in a single exposure, is presented. The device is created by making permanent augmentations to a camera. This device allows for imaging of six independent spectral bands in concert with five different perspective views of a given target, simultaneously on a single detector. This device utilizes a series of mirrors positioned obliquely to the principle axis of the imaging device that present different perspective views, of a target. The views are then simultaneously bandpass filtered and are imaged on the camera in a single exposure. The device enables spectral measurement of various targets in the visible and the near Infra-red wavelengths hence enabling multispectroscopic science. Exploiting the multi-view imaging capability of the device, depth information can be obtained and used for topological, three-dimensional surface reconstruction of a given target. Some applications of such a device are explored accompanied by demonstration of the merits of multispectral image analysis. Three-dimensional reconstruction of a few objects is also presented.