A fundamental limitation of current visible through shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging systems is the dependence on solar illumination. This reliance limits the operability of such systems to small windows during which the sun provides enough solar radiation to achieve adequate signal levels. Similarly, nighttime collection is infeasible. This work discusses the development and testing of a high-powered super-continuum laser for potential use as an on-board illumination source coupled with a hyperspectral receiver to allow for day/night operability. A 5-watt shortwave infrared supercontinuum laser was developed, characterized in the lab, and tower-tested along a 1.6km slant path to demonstrate propagation capability as a spectral light source.

Date Published: 18 May 2013
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 8743, Algorithms and Technologies for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery XIX, 87431D (18 May 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2015940

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8743:
Algorithms and Technologies for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery XIX
Sylvia S. Shen; Paul E. Lewis, Editor(s)