Hyperspectral/Multispectral imaging for transient events

There is a long-standing need for the development of fast single-frame spectral imaging instrumentation, also known as a "snapshot" or "flash" spectral imager, to study fast transient phenomena where retrieval of 3-dimensional hyperspectral data cubes provides crucial information. Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop the Multiplexing Array Spectral Camera (MASC) a snapshot spectral imager which acquires multiplexed spatial and spectral data with high optical collection efficiency and with the speed limited only by the readout time of the detector circuitry. The concept proposed allows a wide range of design tradeoffs for specific applications, and uses relatively mature component technologies to reduce the development risk. The performance of the instrument, as modeled in this proposal, indicates that projected MDA requirements for advanced transient target sensing can be satisfied. The concept offers a foundation on which further advanced spectral imagers can be based, with unprecedented flexibility in spectral, spatial and temporal data acquisition. In Phase I we will build and test a feasibility demonstration prototype, and develop an engineering design for a Phase II system. In Phase II, we will construct a pre-production prototype instrument suitable for low-volume production.