Optimization of excitation-emission band-pass filter for visualization of viable bacteria distribution on the surface of pork meat

Multispectral curved compound eye camera

In this work, we propose a new type of multispectral imaging system, named multispectral curved compound eye camera (MCCEC). The so called MCCEC consists of three subsystems, a curved micro-lens array integrated with selected narrow-band optical filters, an optical transformation subsystem, and the data processing unit with an image sensor. The novel MCCEC system can achieve multi-spectral imaging at an ultra-large field of view (FOV), and obtain information of multiple spectrum segments at real time. Moreover, the system has the advantages of small size, light weight, and high sensitivity in comparison with conventional multispectral cameras. In current work, we mainly focus on the optical design of the MCCEC based on the overlap of FOV between the neighboring clusters of ommatidia to achieve the multispectral imaging at an ultra-large FOV. The optical layout of the curved micro-lens array, narrow-band filter array and the optical relay system for image plane transformation are carefully designed and optimized. The whole size of the optical system is 93 mm × 42 mm × 42 mm. The simulation results show that a maximum FOV of about 120° can be achieved for seven-waveband multispectral imaging with center wavelengths of 480 nm, 550 nm, 591 nm, 676 nm, 704 nm, 740 nm, and 767 nm. The new designed MCCEC has a great potential as an airborne or satellite-born payload for real time remote sensing and thus paves a new way for the design of compact and light-weight spectral-imaging cameras with an ultra large FOV.

Estimation of fluorescent Donaldson matrices using a spectral imaging system

The present paper proposes a method to estimate the bispectral Donaldson matrices of fluorescent objects in a scene with a spectral imaging system. Multiple ordinary light sources with continuous spectral-power distributions are projected sequentially onto object surfaces without controlling the spectral shape of the illumination source. The estimation problem of the Donaldson matrices is solved as an optimization problem, where the residual error of observations by the spectral imaging system is minimized. The reflection, emission, and excitation spectral functions are estimated at each wavelength without using a basis function approximation. To improve the estimation efficiency, the output visible range is segmented into two types of wavelength ranges: one for only reflection and another for both reflection and emission. An iterative algorithm is then developed based on the wavelength segmentation and the physical excitation model. The usefulness of the proposed method is examined in experiments using different fluorescent objects and illuminants. We show the estimation accuracy of the Donaldson matrices, discuss the effective selection of illuminants, and demonstrate an application to spectral analysis and reconstruction of a fluorescent image.

Hybrid imprinting process to fabricate a multi-layer compound eye for multispectral imaging

We present a high-precision hybrid imprinting method to fabricate multi-layer micro-optical structures on nonplanar substrates using a custom-built vacuum imprinting system; with the application of kinematic couplings that align the flexible stamps in all six degrees of freedom, a cross-layer pattern registration precision of 400 nm has been achieved on nonplanar substrates. To demonstrate the precision and feasibility of the new process and instrument, we have designed and fabricated a multi-layer artificial compound eye (ACE) for multispectral imaging. The shapes and sizes of all 12 micro-lenses on the ACE are optimized and integrated with different color filers (red, green and blue) so that the light from different channels and of different spectral contents will focus to the same plane, where the photodetector is located. Next, the multi-layer ACE is installed in a portable optical system for simultaneous multispectral imaging, i.e., to perform pattern detection by looking at specific frequency windows. Imaging experiments are devised and performed on (1) color blindness test cards, (2) space image, and (3) breast and gastric tumor samples. The results confirm the system's capabilities of frequency separation, extraction of hidden information, and tumor identification.

Rugate filters used in slit-lamp delivery to improve color rendering of illumination for retinal photocoagulation

Laser filters and color filters used in slit-lamp delivery have been developed by the rugate approach to improve color rendering of illumination for retinal photocoagulation. The double-notch laser filter is designed according to the required laser lines and incident angle. Based on the transmission spectrum of a double-notch laser filter and the spectral power distribution (SPD) of the light source of a slit lamp, a scanning search algorithm is applied to find the optimal transmission spectrum of a multi-notch color filter for the best color rendering index of illumination. Open-source software is used to design the refractive index profile of the rugate filters, which are deposited by the reactive pulse magnetron sputtering. Both the theoretical analysis of SPD of slitlamp delivery with consideration of the deposited rugate filters and the experimental results demonstrate that the color rendering property of illumination can be improved remarkably, thus making fundus observation and retinal laser photocoagulation more reliable and efficient.

Characterization of Chromobacterium violaceum pigment through a hyperspectral imaging system

In this paper, a comprehensive spatio-spectral and temporal analysis for Chromobacterium violaceum colonies is reported. A hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system is used to recover the spectral signatures of pigment production in a non-homogeneous media with high spectral resolution and high sensitivity in vivo, without destructing the sample. This non-contact sensing technique opens avenues to study the temporal growing of a specific section in the bacterial colony. Further, from a 580 [nm] and 764 [nm] spatio-spectral time series, a wild-type and mutant Chromobacterium violaceum strains are characterized. Such study provides quantitative information about kinetic parameters of pigment production and bacterial growing.