Field identification and spatial determination of hazardous chemicals by Fourier transform infrared imaging

A hyperspectral imaging device is reported for the remote sensing of hazardous chemical clouds. The device, which is based on Fourier transform spectrometry, displays two-dimensional images of spatially resolved spectral information delivered from a focal-plane-array detector. An algorithm for chemical-cloud detection using the spectrum obtained by the hyperspectral imaging device was also developed. In order to promptly extract results from the large quantity of spectral information, the detection algorithm included approximate and precise detection steps. The performance of the hyperspectral imaging device was characterized in the lab and in the field using the detection algorithm. The real-time distribution of a chemical cloud was successfully observed.