Abstract: An imager for imaging a plurality of images of a single scene over a plurality of disparate electromagnetic wavelength sets includes front-end optics for outputting a polychromatic, collimated image beam of the scene; a beam displacer configured for splitting the collimated image beam into spatially displaced, mutually parallel beams, and an imaging-sensor array configured for registration of the spatially displaced wavelength sets at disparate locations along the imaging-sensor array. In alternative versions, the beam displacer displaces constituent light beams based on at least one of wavelength and polarization. In various implementations, a back-end focusing element focuses each constituent beam onto a predetermined location along the imaging-sensor array. The imaging-sensor array is optimally configured for simultaneous sampling of the plural images focused thereupon by the back-end focusing elements.

Abstract: An imager for imaging a plurality of images of a single scene over a plurality of disparate electromagnetic wavelength sets includes front-end optics for outputting a polychromatic, collimated image beam of the scene; a beam displacer configured for splitting the collimated image beam into spatially displaced, mutually parallel beams, and an imaging-sensor array configured for registration of the spatially displaced wavelength sets at disparate locations along the imaging-sensor array. In alternative versions, the beam displacer displaces constituent light beams based on at least one of wavelength and polarization. In various implementations, a back-end focusing element focuses each constituent beam onto a predetermined location along the imaging-sensor array. The imaging-sensor array is optimally configured for simultaneous sampling of the plural images focused thereupon by the back-end focusing elements.

Abstract: An imager for imaging a plurality of images of a single scene over a plurality of disparate electromagnetic wavelength sets includes front-end optics for outputting a polychromatic, collimated image beam of the scene; a beam displacer configured for splitting the collimated image beam into spatially displaced, mutually parallel beams, and an imaging-sensor array configured for registration of the spatially displaced wavelength sets at disparate locations along the imaging-sensor array. In alternative versions, the beam displacer displaces constituent light beams based on at least one of wavelength and polarization. In various implementations, a back-end focusing element focuses each constituent beam onto a predetermined location along the imaging-sensor array. The imaging-sensor array is optimally configured for simultaneous sampling of the plural images focused thereupon by the back-end focusing elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for registering the spectral signature of a dynamic source event include an imaging-sensor array configured to register electromagnetic energy over a predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths and an optical system configured for imaging onto the imaging-sensor array a dispersion pattern of electromagnetic energy emitted from a source event external to the optical system. The optical system includes (i) a focusing element and (ii) a selected set of optical dispersion apparatus.

Abstract: A remote sensor for detection of the initiation of combustion includes a broad-band sensor, associated signal processing and an interface to the user. The sensor uses the signature formed by the temporal evolution of the spectral emission intrinsic to combustion as a fingerprint for detecting the combustion. The sensor can autonomously monitor a scene and issue an alert as warranted.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the spectral signature of a point-like dynamic source event in order to approximate the location of the source event within a predetermined field of view is implemented by a spectral analysis system including (i) a data processing system; (ii) an imaging-sensor array communicatively linked to the data processing system and (iii) an optical system adapted for imaging a dispersion pattern of electromagnetic energy emitted from a source event onto the imaging-sensor array. A dispersion-pattern data set associating the optical system with data indicative of a set of pre-contrived electromagnetic-energy dispersion patterns attributed to the optical system is created based on at least one of (i) theoretically and (ii) experimentally determined characteristics of the optical system and maintained in computer memory.