Development of Fiber Arrays for Hyperspectral Imaging Spectroscopy Using 2-Photon Polymerization Technique

Date
2023-09-08
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Abstract

Fiber-based snapshot imaging spectrometers have emerged as indispensable tools in hyperspectral imaging, finding widespread applications in diverse fields such as biomedical imaging, remote sensing, and astronomy. These spectrometers possess the unique ability to capture intricate spectral information from a scene, making them valuable assets in scientific research and industrial applications. However, their development and fabrication have traditionally been intricate, time-consuming, and costly endeavors, often involving manual assembly of commercial components, leading to large output areas in excess of 20 mm in diameter that only immense optics can accommodate. To address these limitations and push the boundaries of imaging spectrometer technology, this thesis aims to find a new approach that can simplify the fabrication process while further miniaturizing the fiber array. Therefore, I propose a design strategy and proof-of-concept snapshot imaging spectrometer using an array of optical fibers fabricated through the cutting-edge technique of Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP). Leveraging the capabilities of the Nanoscribe GmbH Quantum X system, which enables the precise 3D printing of optical quality structures with submicron resolution and exceptional smoothness (less than 5 nm roughness), this work aims to showcases the development of small core fibers and integrated arrays while demonstrating the functionality of the new snapshot imaging spectrometer. The prototype system features a 3D-printed fiber array with dimensions of 40x80, offering a pitch of 6 microns at the input and 80 microns at the output, with each core having a diameter of 5 µm. Incorporated into a prism-based imaging spectrometer, this fiber array facilitates the realization of 48 spectral channels, ranging from 465 nm to 700 nm, showcasing its ability for multi-spectral imaging. To validate the performance of the system, preliminary imaging results were obtained using a USAF target and a color printed letter C, alongside spectral comparisons to a commercial spectrometer. The obtained results unequivocally demonstrate the functionality and immense potential of the 3D-printed fiber-based snapshot imaging spectrometer. Further characterization tests, such as crosstalk and throughput, will be done in the future. We envision this imaging spectrometer to become a platform technology and encompass applications spanning from biomedical imaging, through environmental imaging and remote sensing, etc.

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EMBARGO NOTE: This item is embargoed until 2024-06-01
Degree
Master of Science
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Optical fiber, 2-photon polymerization
Citation

Cao, Haimu. "Development of Fiber Arrays for Hyperspectral Imaging Spectroscopy Using 2-Photon Polymerization Technique." (2023) Master's thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/115371

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