California Institute of Technology

United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

William R Johnson

Gregory H Bearman

Daniel W Wilson

Karl Y Yee

Jordana Blacksberg

Carol A Raymond

Matthew E Kenyon

Xiangwen Chen

Simon J Hook

Bethany L Ehlmann

Methods and devices to implement mid-wave and long-wave infrared point spectrometers are disclosed. The described methods and devices involve bi-faceted gratings, high-operating-temperature barrier infrared and thermal detectors. The disclosed concept can be used to design flight spectrometers that cover broad solar reflectance plus thermal emission spectral ranges with a compact and low-cost instrument suitable for small spacecraft reconnaissance of asteroids, the Moon, and planetary satellites as well as mass-constrained landed missions.

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared point spectrometer

The disclosure is directed to a blackbody calibration target having a textured silicon substrate comprising a base comprising a plurality of needle like structures extending away from the base and having a total emissivity of greater than 99.5% from an electromagnetic radiation source having a wavelength greater than or equal to about 400 nanometers and less than or equal to about 1 mm. The disclosure is further directed to a blackbody calibration target system, and instrument which includes the blackbody calibration target, and a method of calibrating an instrument.

Black silicon blackbody calibration target

Computed tomography imaging spectrometers ('CTISs') employing a single lens are provided. The CTISs may be either transmissive or reflective, and the single lens is either configured to transmit and receive uncollimated light (in transmissive systems), or is configured to reflect and receive uncollimated light (in reflective systems). An exemplary transmissive CTIS includes a focal plane array detector, a single lens configured to transmit and receive uncollimated light, a two-dimensional grating, and a field stop aperture. An exemplary reflective CTIS includes a focal plane array detector, a single mirror configured to reflect and receive uncollimated light, a two-dimensional grating, and a field stop aperture.

Single-lens computed tomography imaging spectrometer and method of capturing spatial and spectral information

Computed tomography imaging spectrometers ('CTIS's) having color focal plane array detectors are provided. The color FPA detector may comprise a digital color camera including a digital image sensor, such as a Foveon X3&#xae; digital image sensor or a Bayer color filter mosaic. In another embodiment, the CTIS includes a pattern imposed either directly on the object scene being imaged or at the field stop aperture. The use of a color FPA detector and the pattern improves the accuracy of the captured spatial and spectral information.

Color camera computed tomography imaging spectrometer for improved spatial-spectral image accuracy

Computed tomography imaging spectrometers ('CTIS's) having patterns for imposing spatial structure are provided. The pattern may be imposed either directly on the object scene being imaged or at the field stop aperture. The use of the pattern improves the accuracy of the captured spatial and spectral information.

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Brea, CA, United States of America

William R Johnson