Abstract: A fiber optic input receives light reflected from an unknown compound. An input mask encodes the light received with a one-dimensional input code. A spectral imaging subsystem images the input coded mask and disperses the image. An output mask receives the dispersed image on a row and, at each time step of a plurality of time steps, changes the code of the row to further encode the image. An illumination subsystem collects the additionally encoded light from the row at each time step. A point detector receives the collected light from the illumination subsystem and converts it to an electrical signal at each time step. A memory stores the electrical signal at each time step. A processor calculates a spectral signature for the unknown compound from the electrical signals stored, the one-dimensional input code, and the different additional one-dimensional codes applied.

Abstract: An optical spectrometer and/or a method of optical spectroscopy is described herein. One exemplary spectrometer includes a planar spectral filter, a dispersion system, and a detector array having at least two dimensions. The planar spectral filter filters incident light to generate a plurality of wavelength dependent spatial patterns. The dispersion system disperses the spatial patterns along at least one dimension in a wavelength dependent fashion onto the detector array. As a result, spatial patterns corresponding to different wavelengths are centered at different locations on the detector array. The dispersed spatial patterns superimpose at the detector array in an offset but overlapping relationship, creating an asymmetric image that facilitates the spectral analysis of a wide range of light sources, including diffuse or spectrally complex light sources.

Abstract: A class of aperture coded spectrometer is optimized for the spectral characterization of diffuse sources. The instrument achieves high throughput and high spatial resolution by replacing the slit of conventional dispersive spectrometers with a spatial filter or mask. A number of masks can be used including Harmonic masks, Legendre masks, and Hadamard masks.

Abstract: A class of aperture coded spectrometer is optimized for the spectral characterization of diffuse sources. The instrument achieves high throughput and high spatial resolution by replacing the slit of conventional dispersive spectrometers with a spatial filter or mask. A number of masks can be used including Harmonic masks, Legendre masks, and Hadamard masks.