January 15, 2025 | Online
Event will begin: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM
On-Chip Spectral Imaging: New Developments Toward Commoditizing Spectral Imaging
Presented by: Wouter Charle, imec
Charle offers an alternative to traditional hyperspectral imaging systems by utilizing thin-film spectral filters directly deposited and patterned on image sensors, instead of relying on precision optics. This design results in a compact, robust, and integrated sensor-level solution that requires no additional optical components, making them as user-friendly as a regular machine vision camera. The manufacturing approach also enables tailored filter designs and cost-effective volume production for specific applications.
Two key sensor configurations demonstrate the versatility of this technology: snapshot hyperspectral sensors, featuring a Bayer-like mosaic pattern with spectral filters per pixel, and the imec linescan sensors, employing a striped filter pattern across pixel rows for high-resolution imaging. The snapshot sensors excel in video-rate spectral imaging, ideal for dynamic processes (e.g. intraoperative surgical use) or use in an uncontrolled setup (e.g., handheld devices). Conversely, linescan sensors provide precise, high-resolution imaging comparable to push-broom cameras but in a more compact and integrated form (e.g. to be integrated in microscopes).
Charle presents solutions that have been effectively applied in various contexts, ranging from spinal fusion surgery, and detection of Alzheimer’s Diseases-related proteins during eye examinations, over industrial and food quality inspection, to earth observation applications with small satellites.
About the presenter
Wouter Charle is the program manager for spectral imaging technology at imec. With a background in physics, software engineering, and 3D machine vision, he joined imec in 2014 at the very beginning of their spectral imaging activities. Having contributed from the start to both technology and application development in this program, he is now leading future developments by setting up strategic partnerships and collaborations to establish the technology in the market.