FS‑2X FPA Hyperspectral Camera: Built‑in scanning, all‑in‑one for static sample spectral capture

Hyperspectral imaging technology, leveraging its three-dimensional data cube capability with spectral integration, can simultaneously obtain two-dimensional spatial images of the object being measured and continuous spectral information for each pixel. It has become an important tool for materials research, agricultural analysis, industrial quality inspection, and biological testing.

I. Many limitations of traditional line scan hyperspectral systems for static sample detection

Mainstream linear scan and push-scan hyperspectral cameras on the market are better suited for dynamic inspection on assembly lines; For static samples such as leaves, slices, fruit and vegetable samples, films, and circuit boards, additional precision scan and displacement tables are often required. The entire system is bulky, complicated to install and debug, with complex focusing processes, high equipment construction costs, and high requirements for laboratory operators, greatly affecting research and testing efficiency.

Many users encounter pain points when choosing models: 

1. Additional procurement and construction of external pushing and sweeping movement mechanisms are required, increasing overall solution costs; 

2. Multi-component combinations take a long time for calibration and focusing, requiring repeated adjustments to replace samples; 

3. High system integration difficulty, making direct connection to microscopes or standard industrial lenses difficult; 

4. The entire set of equipment is bulky, making it difficult for flexible relocation of multiple workstations in laboratories. 

To address industry pain points in static sample inspection, the FigSpec FS-2X series of area array imaging hyperspectral cameras adopts a built-in scanning architecture, integrating the scanning mechanism inside the camera body. Without the need for external push scanning devices, complete hyperspectral data acquisition can be completed simply by placing the sample stationary, making it the preferred solution for static sample pattern collection.

II. FigSpec FS-2X Series Core Technology Highlights

1. FS-2X core technology: transmissive grating + built-in scanning + auxiliary framing camera

The FigSpec® FS-2X series imaging hyperspectral cameras feature a high-diffraction efficiency transmission grating spectroscopic splitting structure as its core optical module, paired with a highly sensitive area array detector. It also integrates a built-in scanning imaging module and auxiliary viewfinder camera, solving the hardware challenges of traditional hyperspectral equipment with external push and scanning mechanisms and complex focusing operations.

2. Built-in scanning on the body, no need for an external motion platform. The scanning unit is fully integrated inside the camera, allowing complete hyperspectral spectral acquisition to be completed simply by keeping the sample stationary, eliminating the need for displacement station procurement, wiring, and calibration. The equipment can be put into use with simple debugging after unboxing, greatly reducing system integration difficulty.

3. Standard C-Mount Interface, Strong Expansion Capability The camera comes standard with a C-Mount interface, which can directly connect to commonly used C-Mount industrial lenses on the market. It can also seamlessly connect to microscopes for high-spectral microscopical imaging, covering measurement needs from macro samples to microscopic slices, making it suitable for various scientific research experiments.

4. Auxiliary Viewfinder Camera, What You See Is What You Get The camera body comes with a built-in auxiliary viewfinder camera, allowing operators to intuitively monitor the shooting area and quickly confirm sample placement. There’s no need to repeatedly collect preview data, significantly reducing focusing and sample positioning time, and improving experimental efficiency.

The entire camera is integrated into a compact body. The visible to near-infrared model weighs less than 2.8 kg, making it easy to move and deploy between lab benches and inspection stations. It is powered by a built-in battery, supporting flexible setups.

III. FS-2X Model Series: Covering Visible to Shortwave Near-Infrared Bands  

The FS-2X series includes multiple models like FS-20, FS-22, FS-23, FS-23SC, FS-24, and FS-25, covering visible light, visible–near-infrared, and shortwave near-infrared bands. They offer different spectral resolutions, channel numbers, and detector configurations, meeting the selection needs for various testing objects.

Key Performance Features:

· Spectroscopy uniformly uses a grating, with a slit width of 25μm, transmission efficiency of 60%, and stray light controlled at 0.5%;

·Signal-to-noise ratio up to 600:1, ensuring quality spectral data even under low light conditions;

· Data interface: USB3.0, supports ROI (Region of Interest) imaging function, allowing selection of single or multiple ROIs to further improve acquisition speed;

·Imaging speed: as fast as ≤5 seconds, quickly completing full-spectrum data capture for static samples.

· Visible to near-infrared range (400–1000nm) model: up to 1200 spectral channels, spectral resolution better than 2.5nm, suitable for plant leaves, fruits and vegetables, and screen optical inspection; short-wave near-infrared model (900–1700nm) uses an InGaAs detector, suitable for material composition analysis and internal food quality inspection.

FS-23-SC uses an SCMOS detector with an image resolution of 2048*2048 and a dynamic range of 16bit, ideal for precise scientific experiments requiring extremely high dynamic range and detailed imaging.

IV. FS-2X Main Applications:

With a built-in scanning integrated design, the FS-2X is very suitable for measurements of stationary samples, and can be used in both laboratory research and small-batch industrial inspection.

1. Plant Pest and Physiology Research

HSI (hyperspectral imaging) of plant leaves and plant samples captures spectral fingerprints corresponding to changes in chlorophyll and water content, identifying early pest and disease damage without moving the sample. With lenses or microscopes, it can observe leaf microstructure spectral features, widely used in agronomy and botany research.

2. Fruit and Vegetable Sorting & Food Quality Testing

By placing fruit and vegetable samples statically, spectral data is captured for every surface point, analyzing ripeness, internal sugar content, rot defects, and hidden damage, used for laboratory sample evaluation and small-batch sample screening research.

3. Screen and Optical Device Inspection

For display screens, optical films, and coating samples, spatial and spectral information is collected to identify color differences, coating defects, and optical uniformity issues, providing data support for optical quality inspection.

4. Material and Biological Microscopic Analysis

When connected to a microscope, high-resolution hyperspectral imaging enables observing biological slices, powdered materials, and film samples, obtaining spectra for each pixel at a microscopic scale, supporting research in materials and biomedical fields.

5. Mineral and Cultural Artifact Sample Analysis

Non-contact spectral imaging of static samples to identify material composition differences, used for sample screening and spectral analysis of specific areas.

       Note: FS-2X is designed for static samples; if dealing with continuously moving materials on a production line, the FigSpec FS-1X line-scanning series hyperspectral camera can be used, complementing each other in different scenarios.

       V. Selection Reference: How to Choose the Right FS-2X Model

       Many users selecting hyperspectral cameras often blindly chase the most channels or the widest spectral range. In reality, you should choose based on the spectral characteristics of the material being measured:

       1. If the research object has obvious color or visible light features (like leaves, screens, or surface defects on fruits and vegetables), prioritize the 400–1000nm range FS-22 or FS-23; choose FS-23 SC if ultra-high dynamic range is needed.

       2. If you need to detect internal components, fats, or moisture content, go for the 900–1700nm short-wave near-infrared FS-24 or FS-25.

       3. For microscopic imaging, pay attention to working distance and field-of-view parameters, and make sure the lens is compatible with the microscope interface.

       4. First confirm: spectral resolution, number of channels, detector type, and image resolution, then also consider imaging speed; the ROI function can significantly shorten acquisition time, and it’s recommended to enable it during experiments.

       Beyond hardware, supporting software should allow for reflectance correction, spectral curve extraction, and ROI area analysis, and ideally provide an SDK for users to integrate their own algorithms and do secondary development with FigSpec.

      VI. Summary: Built-in Scanning Integration Redefines Static Sample Hyperspectral Acquisition

       Traditional hyperspectral systems are often a combination of “camera + external push-broom mechanism,” which are complex and costly to tune. The FigSpec FS-2X area scan hyperspectral camera has the scanning module built into the body, completing static sample spectral acquisition in one go, eliminating the need for an external motion platform and lowering setup difficulty.

       Covering the full range from visible light to short-wave near-infrared, with multiple detector models available, a C-mount for flexible lens and microscope expansion, and an auxiliary preview camera, it balances imaging performance and ease of use. It's the top choice for static sample hyperspectral imaging in research labs and small-batch sample testing.

       If you’re setting up a static sample hyperspectral detection platform, consider adding the FS-2X to your selection list. Choose the model that matches your sample’s spectral characteristics to achieve efficient and stable combined spectral acquisition.