Note: Design considerations and characterization of a flexible snapshot hyperspectral probe

Hyperspectral imaging is a combination of imaging and spectroscopy to give detailed spectral information for each spatial point in the imaged scene. Using the concept of integral field spectroscopy, a custom fabricated two-dimensional to one-dimensional fiber bundle has recently been reported. It is used as a flexible snapshot hyperspectral probe, which can be used as an endoscope for biomedical applications. This paper reports on the design considerations of the fiber bundle as the flexible probe in the snapshot hyperspectral imaging system. The physical characterization of the custom fabricated fiber bundle and lateral resolution of the developed hyperspectral imaging system are also analyzed and described.