Ocean PHILLS hyperspectral imager: design, characterization, and calibration

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Remote Sensing
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Coastal ocean environments require specialized imaging for accurate data acquisition.
• Hyperspectral imaging offers detailed spectral information crucial for water quality assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the design and calibration of the Ocean Portable Hyperspectral Imager for Low-Light Spectroscopy (PHILLS).
• To demonstrate the instrument's capability in acquiring high-quality hyperspectral data in coastal waters.

Main Methods:

• The Ocean PHILLS instrument utilizes a thinned, backside-illuminated CCD for enhanced sensitivity.
• An all-reflective spectrograph with a convex grating in an Offner configuration minimizes image distortion.
• The sensor was constructed using readily available commercial components.

Main Results:

• Laboratory characterization and calibration data confirm the instrument's performance.
• Field deployment during 1999-2001 oceanographic experiments demonstrated successful operation.
• Acquired remote-sensing reflectance data from the LEO-15 site showed strong agreement with ground-truth measurements.

Conclusions:

• The Ocean PHILLS is a robust and effective hyperspectral imager for coastal oceanographic studies.
• The instrument's design facilitates high-sensitivity, low-light spectral imaging.
• Validated data acquisition capabilities support accurate environmental monitoring and research.