Spectral imaging is an imaging technique that can reveal information about a sample that is not visible to the naked eye. Devices capable of detecting and recording radiation outside the visible spectrum can pick up information from a specimen and return it to the operator in a useful format, such as a graph of chemical signatures in a cell, in this process. This technique is used in scientific research, medical practice, and military theory, and spectral imaging can be done with a variety of systems.
Spectral imaging equipment varies greatly depending on which spectra people want to look at and what they want to do with the data. Spectral data is collected using telescopes, spectroscopy equipment, cameras, and a variety of other sensors. For the benefit of users, sophisticated computer programs can interpret, smooth, and present data in a variety of formats.
In multi-spectral imaging, the device collects data from a variety of spectra and separates it for the user. As a result, a user could examine visual data as well as data from the infrared spectrum and other relevant spectra. This is useful in fields such as botany, where researchers can compare a flower’s visual appearance to its infrared or ultraviolet signature to learn how it attracts and signals insects and other animals.
Surveying is one application for spectral imaging, as imaging equipment can be flown over a target area. It can detect specific chemical signatures of interest, as well as other types of radiation, in addition to visual data. This could enable the operator to perform tasks ranging from human identification to the detection of radioactive materials. This method is used by military organizations to identify targets and gather intelligence data.
In physics, spectral imaging can be an extremely useful tool for data collection. It can create a three-dimensional image with spectral data associated with each pixel of the visual image. Researchers can use the information to look for things like x-rays and other forms of radiation, which are telltale signs of activity that aren’t always visible. This could be useful for figuring out how the universe came to be or analyzing samples of unknown material.
Spectral imaging is used by biologists to detect unique chemical signatures in samples ranging from cells to water. It can also be useful in forensics, where highly precise spectral data can be used to match paint chips or learn more about a specimen’s origin. When viewing a spectral image, it is important to be aware that the images generated may have false colors coded for ease of reading. For example, what appears red in the image is not actually red.