Active Hyperspectral Sensor Based on MEMS Fabry-Pérot Interferometer

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Sensor Technology
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Active hyperspectral sensing offers advanced capabilities for target detection and classification.
• Supercontinuum light sources provide broadband illumination for spectral analysis.
• Miniaturized tunable filters are crucial for compact and efficient spectral discrimination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an active hyperspectral sensor (AHS) for target detection and classification.
• To utilize a voltage-tunable MEMS Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI) for spectral discrimination.
• To assess the sensor's performance in laboratory and field conditions.

Main Methods:

• Illumination of targets using a broadband near-infrared supercontinuum (SC) light source.
• Spectral filtering via a voltage-tunable MEMS Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI).
• Implementation of a non-dispersive reference detector for SC instability correction.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated laboratory precision of 0.1% and long-term stability better than 0.5%.
• Successful field measurements with the prototype mounted on a vehicle.
• Distinguished various road types and objects based on spectral response.

Conclusions:

• The developed AHS is effective for target detection and classification.
• The FPI-based spectral discrimination is precise and stable.
• The sensor shows promise for real-world applications in object and material identification.