Spectral Imaging Revised Removed

University of Eastern Finland
Department of Physics and Mathematics

Lab Report
Instructor: Prof. Hannu Laamanen
Experiment: Spectral Imaging
Abhishek Padhy
Md Mizan Kabir Shuvo
Submitted: April 9, 2023

1 Abstract
Spectral Imaging is a technique which utilizes light of multiple wavelengths (broad spec-
trum) to capture an image of an object. In this work, by using a Ex-VIS spectral camera
with a Spectralight-III Light Booth, we performed spectral imaging for three samples- a
painting, color checker and metameric sample and then observed the image for a single
wavelength and also created the RGB image via selecting three colour channels. Further-
more, we plotted the reflectance spectra of 5 points on the image (for all samples) and
finally we discuss the discrepancies in spectra between metameric samples and the causes
of non-uniform whiteness of white reference image.
2 Introduction and Theory

In this lab exercise, we imaged things under simulated daylight 65 using a Nuance Ex-
VIS spectral camera with a Spectralight-III Light Booth. The techniques we employed to
gather and evaluate spectral images, the outcomes we discovered, and their relevance will
be covered in this study.
A spectral or hyper-spectral camera is a special kind of camera that can take pictures
from a wide range of wavelengths instead of just the visible spectrum of red, green, and
blue (RGB) light like regular cameras do. This allows spectral cameras to provide detailed
information about the spectral characteristics of the objects they image. In our work we
used a monochrome camera with a Liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) which is extensively
used in hyperspectral imaging systems to successively acquire different spectral components
of scenes by adjusting the centre wavelength of the filter.
A spectral image is an image that captures information from a wide range of wavelengths
instead of just the RGB channels [1]. Information is gathered by hyperspectral sensors as
a collection of ”images.” A spectral band, also known as a limited wavelength region of
the electromagnetic spectrum, is seen in each image. For processing and analysis, these
”images” are combined to create a three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube and this kind
of imaging is called hyperspectral imaging.
Reflectance is how much of the light that hits a surface is reflected back [2]. An object’s
reflectance can change depending on the wavelength of the light incident on it, which means
that it can look different at different illumination. A traditional RGB image is made by
1
putting together three separate images, each of which captures a different colour channel
(red, green, or blue) [3]. When these separate images are put together, the result is a
full-color image. In an RGB image, each pixel has a different value for each of the three
colour channels. This makes up the overall colour of the image..
3 Methods
To get spectral images, we first turned on the light booth to stabilize the light source and
connected the spectral camera to the computer. Then, to get a live view of the camera, we
opened the Nuance 3.0.0 programme on the laptop, chose the brightfield tab, and set the
wavelength (450 nm to 950 nm) and exposure time (50ms) for the live view. Then, we put
the object to be photographed on the 45-degree black stand inside the light booth, adjusted
the tripod so that the whole object was visible in the live view, focused the camera, and
set the exposure times for all wavelengths using the white reference sample, this ensures
there is no saturation with the other samples.
Rs
I= (1)
Rref
Where I is the image, Ri is reflectance of the sample, Rref is the reflectance of white
reference. Then, we took pictures of the white reference and all the other objects in order,
saving the data in.tif image format. In order to analyze the data, we turned the spectral
images into RGB images by choosing three wavelengths as the color channels.
IRGB (x, y) = [IR (x, y) IG (x, y) IB (x, y)] (2)
We also calculated reflectance spectra for every image pixel and chose five points from each
imaged object to mark on the RGB pictures and plot as a function of wavelength.
4 Results and Discussion

We successfully acquired and processed spectral images of the white reference, color checker,
metameric sample 1(UEF), and painting. A reflectance image for a single wavelength would
display the amount of light reflected by a surface at a specific wavelength. The image would
appear as grayscale, with darker regions indicating areas of low reflectance and lighter re-
gions indicating areas of high reflectance. For example, if the single wavelength is in the
2
blue portion of the visible spectrum, the reflectance image would show how much blue light
is being reflected by the surface. If the surface reflects a lot of blue light, the image would
appear brighter in those regions, while areas that absorb more blue light would appear
darker. Figure.1 shows the single wavelength (620nm) reflectance image of the painting.
Spectral cameras are designed to capture reflectance images at multiple wavelengths across
Figure 1: Reflectance image for a single wavelength (620 nm) for Painting, Color checker
and Metameric Color Sample
the electromagnetic spectrum, providing a detailed representation of how a surface reflects

light across the different wavelengths. This information can be used for a variety of appli-
cations, such as identifying materials, monitoring vegetation health, and detecting changes
in land use patterns.
To create an RGB image from spectral images, we need to select three wavelengths
that correspond to the red, green, and blue color channels. The intensity values at these
wavelengths are then assigned to the respective color channels to create the final RGB
image. There is no specific requirement for which wavelengths to use for the color channels,
but typically, the red channel is created using a wavelength in the red portion of the
spectrum, such as 650 nm. The green channel is created using a wavelength in the green
portion of the spectrum, such as 550 nm. The blue channel is created using a wavelength
in the blue portion of the spectrum, such as 450 nm.
Figure.2 demonstrates the RGB image and Reflectance spectra for 5 points on the
image. Here, we first load the three spectral images of the same object taken at different
wavelengths (same procedure for all three images). We then create a blank RGB image
with the same size as the spectral images. Finally, we assign the spectral images to the
corresponding RGB channels and display the resulting RGB image. (check Appendix for
Matlab code). We found that the metameric samples differed in their spectra due to
3
differences in their chemical composition and surface characteristics. Metameric samples
have different reflectance spectra but look the same under the same light source. This
means that their spectral power distributions are different, even though our eyes see them
as the same colour.
Figure 2: RGB Image for (a) Painting, (c) Color checker and (e) Metameric Color Sample
and Reflectance spectra (b),(d),(f) for the same samples respectively,
There are many things that can cause differences in the spectra of metameric samples,
such as differences in the materials used, the surface texture, the thickness, and the struc-
ture of the samples. Metamerism can also be caused by the light source that is used to look
4
at the samples. For example, two objects may look the same colour when lit by daylight,
but when lit by fluorescent light, they may look different. This is because fluorescent light
has a different spectral power distribution than daylight and the human visual system ad-
justs its sensitivity to different wavelengths to adapt to different lighting conditions. This
can cause different perceptions of colour even when the same physical stimulus is present.
The image of the white reference was not uniformly white because of spatially uneven
illumination and vignetting effects of the camera lens. In spectral imaging, a white reference
is used to calibrate the camera and make sure that the spectral values that are recorded
are accurate representations of the real spectral properties of the object being imaged. But
even the whitest materials can reflect light in different ways, which can cause the spectral
values to be different. Also, the lighting conditions when the white reference image was
taken can change how uniform it is. For example, if the lighting isn’t even or if there are
shadows or reflections, the image that is captured may not be white all the way through.
In the same way, the sensitivity of the camera sensors can also make the image uneven.
If the sensitivity of the sensors changes at different wavelengths, the spectral values that
are recorded may not be the same. So, to make sure that spectral imaging is accurate,
it is important to carefully calibrate the camera and lighting conditions and use the right
algorithms to fix any differences in the spectral values that were recorded.
5 Conclusion
In conclusion, we were able to show that a Nuance Ex-VIS spectral camera and Spectralight-
III Light Booth can be used to take and analyze spectral images. We learned about spectral
images, how to get them, and how to get information out of them. We showed how to turn
spectral images into RGB images, calculate reflectance spectra for 5-points in an image,
and look at the differences in their spectra between metameric samples. Overall, this lab
activity taught us a lot about spectral imaging and how it can be used in many different
fields.

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University of Eastern Finland

Department of Physics and Mathematics

Experiment: Spectral Imaging

Submitted: April 9, 2023

2 Introduction and Theory

IRGB (x, y) = [IR (x, y) IG (x, y) IB (x, y)] (2)

4 Results and Discussion

the electromagnetic spectrum, providing a detailed representation of how a surface reflects

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