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Hyperspectral & Multispectral Imaging Systems and Applications

Pro-Lite supplies advanced hyperspectral, multispectral and infrared imaging systems. Our supplier partners are Cubert (real-time, “snapshot” imagers for 355-1650nm), NEO (HySpex “push-broom” hyperspectral line-scan imagers, 400-2500nm), Surface Optics (real-time multispectral imagers), NIREOS (broadband/IR low light hyperspectral imager) and SILIOS (filter-on-chip, multispectral mosaic imagers).

A spectral imager is a hybrid camera-spectrometer where the “image” is a 3D data-cube, and the third dimension corresponds to the spectral information. To understand the technology that drives the different types of multi- and hyperspectral imagers that we offer, and their attributes, we invite you to read our Technical Note on Spectral Imaging Technologies.

Plenoptic & filter-on-chip imagers from SILIOS, Surface Optics, Agrowing and XpectralTek

SILIOS TOUCAN Cam Multispectral Camera

Multispectral and hyperspectral cameras from Hinalea

Hinalea 4450 SWIR Hyperspectral Camera

Compact, robust hyperspectral cameras for OEM applications from Unispectral

Unispectral Solomon Spectral Camera

High sensitivity hyperspectral imaging from NIREOS

Nireos HERA Hyperspectral Camera

High performance linescan imagers from NEO/HySpex

HySpex SWIR 384 Hyperspectral Camera

High performance linescan imagers from Surface Optics. Page Under Construction

Surface Optics Hyperspectral Cameras

Hyperspectral light field cameras from Cubert

Cubert ULTRIS X20 Plus Hyperspectral Imager

Applications of Hyperspectral & Multispectral Imaging

Hyperspectral imaging captures hundreds of continuous wavelength bands, while multispectral imaging captures a smaller number of discrete bands. Both are widely used for material analysis, environmental monitoring and advanced imaging applications.

How is spectral imaging used in aerospace, defence, and space applications?

Hyperspectral imaging is ideal for these sectors because it enables precise material identification and remote sensing in high-performance and mission-critical environments.

  • Satellite Earth observation and payload imaging
  • Airborne hyperspectral imaging (UAVs, aircraft)
  • Target detection and material identification
  • Camouflage and threat detection
  • Space payload calibration and validation

Explore all Aerospace and Defence solutions

How is spectral imaging used in agriculture and food production?

Hyperspectral imaging improves agricultural efficiency by detecting plant health, composition, and contaminants beyond what is visible to the human eye.

  • Crop health monitoring and stress detection
  • Soil composition and moisture analysis
  • Food quality inspection and contamination detection
  • Sorting and grading of agricultural products

How is spectral imaging used in architecture, art & cultural heritage? 

  • Material analysis for construction and restoration
  • Coating and surface inspection
  • Non-destructive analysis of artworks and artefacts
  • Pigment identification and material composition
  • Detection of restoration layers and hidden features

Explore all Architecture, Art & Cultural Heritage solutions

How is spectral imaging used in automotive manufacturing?

It enhances quality control by detecting material variations and defects that are invisible in standard inspection processes.

  • Paint and coating inspection
  • Material identification and verification
  • Detection of manufacturing defects

How is spectral imaging used in environmental monitoring?

Hyperspectral imaging enables detailed monitoring of ecosystems and environmental changes through spectral data analysis.

  • Water quality monitoring and pollutant detection
  • Vegetation and ecosystem analysis
  • Air quality and gas detection (e.g. methane)
  • Climate change monitoring

How is spectral imaging used in geology and mining?

It provides accurate identification of minerals and materials, improving exploration and extraction efficiency.

  • Mineral identification and mapping
  • Ore grading and exploration
  • Surface composition analysis

How is spectral imaging used alongside LiDAR systems?

Combining hyperspectral imaging with LiDAR improves mapping accuracy by adding material information to spatial data.

  • Sensor calibration and validation
  • Terrain classification and mapping
  • Data fusion for advanced analysis

How is spectral imaging used in machine vision applications?

It enhances automated inspection systems by enabling material-based detection rather than just visual inspection.

  • Automated defect detection
  • Material sorting and classification
  • Process monitoring in production lines

How is spectral imaging used in material testing?

It provides precise analysis of material properties and surface conditions for quality assurance.

  • Surface and coating analysis
  • Detection of contamination and defects
  • Material property characterisation

How is spectral imaging used in medical and life science research?

Spectral imaging supports advanced research by enabling non-invasive analysis of biological tissues and compounds.

  • Tissue imaging and analysis
  • Disease detection (research stage)
  • Pharmaceutical analysis
  • Microscopy imaging

How is spectral imaging used in recycling and waste management?

It enables efficient sorting and identification of materials to improve recycling processes.

  • Material identification and sorting
  • Detection of plastics and contaminants
  • Waste stream analysis

How is spectral imaging used in semiconductor manufacturing?

It ensures high precision and quality by detecting defects and analysing materials at microscopic levels.

  • Wafer inspection and defect detection
  • Thin-film analysis
  • Contamination and residue identification

How is spectral imaging used in the textile industry?

It improves quality control by analysing materials and dyes with high precision.

  • Fabric inspection and quality control
  • Dye and material composition analysis
  • Detection of defects

How is spectral imaging used in underwater and marine environments?

It enables analysis of underwater materials and ecosystems where conventional imaging is limited.

  • Marine and seabed analysis
  • Spectral imaging through water
  • Detection of underwater objects and organisms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hyperspectral and multispectral imaging?

Hyperspectral imaging captures hundreds of continuous wavelength bands, providing detailed spectral information, while multispectral imaging captures fewer discrete bands, offering faster data capture with less spectral detail.

Choosing the right system depends on factors such as wavelength range, spectral resolution, imaging method (such as push-broom or snapshot), application environment, and integration requirements. Pro‑Lite’s specialists work with customers to recommend the most appropriate solution based on their specific application and performance needs.

The main types include push-broom (line-scan) systems for high-resolution scanning, snapshot cameras for real-time imaging, and tunable filter-based systems for flexible laboratory or OEM applications.

Calibration ensures that spectral measurements are accurate and repeatable, which is essential for reliable data analysis in scientific, industrial, and environmental applications.

A hyperspectral data cube is a three-dimensional dataset where two dimensions represent spatial information and the third dimension represents spectral data, allowing detailed analysis of each pixel.

Yes, certain hyperspectral systems are designed for real-time imaging, making them suitable for dynamic environments, industrial automation, and live monitoring. Pro‑Lite’s team can advise on the most suitable technologies for real-time applications, ensuring the right balance of speed, spectral performance, and system integration.