Hyperspectral imaging in short wave infrared wavelengths is typically limited to highly illuminated conditions, which is a limitation for security and defense applications. A hyperspectral imager capable of operating in dark conditions would have many uses cases in, for example drone imaging and imaging in front of vehicles for target recognition. In this work, we demonstrate an active shortwave infrared pushbroom imager for operation regardless of ambient lighting conditions. The imager is capable of capturing 1000 hyperspectral data lines per second by using a combination of pulsed broadly tuneable supercontinuum light source and 1D monochrome camera sensor. By using short pulses of 2.6ns, short sensor exposure times can be used and thus eliminating the effect of ambient light. We demonstrate imaging from 6 m distance. Further development and potential are discussed.

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T. Kääriäinen, J. Soukkamäki, and T. Dönsberg, "Active shortwave infrared pushbroom imager for security and defense applications," Proc. SPIE 13200, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications XXI, 132000Q (Presented at Security + Defence: September 17, 2024; Published: 1 November 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3030808.