SAN FRANCISCO (USA) and Leuven (Belgium) – Feb. 15, 2016 – At this week’s SPIE Photonics West, imec will present a new set of hyperspectral sensor and camera solutions with extended spectral range, going from the visible light (VIS) up to near infrared (NIR). The new line-scan VNIR (visible to near-infrared) sensor and snapshot mosaic VNIR camera outperform current solutions in spectral range and compactness.
Example applications for the line-scan sensor are machine vision and remote sensing applications, e .g. precision agriculture using UAVs and satellites. It features 140+bands in the 470-900nm range. Its small form factor is the result of extreme integration of the hyperspectral filter onto the CMOS sensor.
“Leveraging our learnings from previous versions of our line-scan hyperspectral sensor, we developed a new process that enabled us to deposit spectral filter banks in both the visible and near infra-red range on the same CMOS sensor. This achievement extends our sensing solutions within medical, precision agriculture, remote sensing and industrial applications;” explains Andy Lambrechts, Program manager integrated vision solutions at imec.
Imec’s 450-875nm snapshot dual-sensor camera targets applications where dynamc effects are imaged: especially medical, machine vision and security surveillance. By integrating, within one single unified dual-sensor camera architecture, a 16-bands 4×4 mosaic sensor covering the 450-600nm range together with a 25-bands 5×5 mosaic sensor covering the 600-875nm range, imec realized a solution that covers a broad spectral range from visible to near-infrared while maintaining high spatial and spectral resolution tradeoffs.
“Working closely with two of our camera partners, VRmagic and Cubert Gmbh, we have realized one of the most advanced snapshot hyperspectral imaging cameras. It captures 40+ bands ranging from 450-875 m, at video-rate speed acquisition. This achievement clearly sets a new milestone for the real-time snapshot hyperspectral imaging camera market;” explains Jerome Baron, Business development manager integrated imaging at imec.
Imec’s new line-scan (visible to near infrared) VNIR sensor and snapshot mosaic VNIR camera will be demonstrated at Booth 4144 at SPIE Photonic West exhibition and will be available for early sampling to strategic partners from April 2016
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, USA, China, India and Japan. Its staff of about 2,200 people includes almost 700 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2014, imec’s revenue (P&L) totaled 363 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be. Stay up to date about what’s happening at imec with the monthly imec magazine, available for tablets and smartphones (as an app for iOS and Android), or via the website www.imec.be/imecmagazine
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 (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).
About Cubert gmbh
The Cubert GmbH is a high-tech start up from the university of Ulm founded 2011. The technology of our company is result of a multinational research project which began 2005. Our working field is highly interdisciplinary, therefore also the founders came from very different fields. Rainer Graser developed the core technology since 2005. Dr. René Michels joined the project in 2010 after finishing his PhD studies, regarding scattering influences in spectroscopy. Last, but not least Dr. András Jung joined the team as an expert in remote sensing applications.
About VRmagic
Headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, VRmagic develops, manufactures and sells cameras for industrial image processing, optical tracking systems and VR technology. The second business division specializes in simulators for medical training.
