Hyperspectral imaging and fluorescence can be used on a host of synthetic, natural or biological samples including minerals, pathogens, flora, cells or tissues. The spectral illumination can be used to detect subtle differences in the chemical composition of your sample through scattering or by exciting fluorescence. Further contrast enhancement may be achieved by using artificial stains and nano-particles or you may wish to observe the auto-fluorescent characteristics of naturally occurring compounds.  (See image shown left).

The Quantitative Hyperspectral Imaging System comprises three state of the art components including our new patent pending hyperspectral lamp:

1. Quantitative Hyperspectral Acquisition and Control Software (HAC)
2. Quantitative Hyperspectral Hardware Controller (QHHC)
3. Quantitative Hyperspectral Lamp (QHSL)

This 3 part system allows you to retrofit your existing microscope into an automated hyperspectral microscope employing a customised adaptor plate to interface between your microscopes light port and the QHSL lamp.

For more specific information on each of these components see further below.

1. Quantitative Hyperspectral Acquisition and Control Software (HAC)

Hyperspectral Acquisition and Control Software (HAC) is Quantitatives' control software to be used in conjunction with the Quantitative Hyperspectral Hardware Controller version QHHC_1.2 (or higher) hardware and the Quantitative Hyperspectral Lamps (QHSL series).

This software enables the user to completely automate a multi-step illumination and image acquisition (using the latest scientific CMOS cameras) with the entire protocol easily constructed in an easy-to-use spreadsheet.

The system takes care of automating most all tedious manual adjustments and interventions allowing you to simply find your specimen, focus with assistance and hit the "go" button.  Automatic calibrations, switching of light sources, setting light source intensities, setting the camera parameters for each channel, exposures, binning, gains and number of averages, can be taken care of and for ultra-low light conditions you can use camera specific noise-reduction algorithms designed to preserve important subtle detail. HAC not only helps the user to design a channel protocol by providing channel image statistics and signal-to-noise ratios but will automatically design a channel protocol for you, specific to your sample. HAC also produces project and experimental forms so that your data, details of your project and all parameters are neatly saved into auto-indexed files, complete with all system and hardware parameters, camera settings, optical and spectral information.

Currently HAC is provided as a toolbox that works under MATLAB version 2014B or later and requires the MATLAB image acquisition toolbox to run USB sCMOS cameras.

Like most software, Quantitative requires the consent of a Software Licence Agreement for the HAC software which is shown when installing the program.  Prior to purchase however we require the user of the software to complete a "Software Licence Agreement Registration Form". To download a copy of the Registration Form, which must be completed and emailed to us so we can register you as a user for the software, see the "Software Licence Registration Form" link below. The software is fully supported and updates are automatically downloaded and installed.

2. Quantitative Hyperspectral Hardware Controller (QHHC)

The Quantitative Hyperspectral Hardware Controller version QHHC_1.2 (or higher) hardware can be used on your microscope system to provide new dimensions in interrogating your samples of interest. The controller will interface to a PC (not supplied) or laptop via USB and allows the HAC software to manually control the intensity of any of the QHSL's LED channels either manually from the software or automatically during the automated acquisition of a hyperspectral image. The controller also monitors the lamps internal LED intensity real time and it further provides additional control channels for a smaller four wavelength lamp such as the QHS-PetriLamp-1.1 Deep UV Petri Dish Hyperspectral Lamp with an additional four I/O lines for a 16 word control of microscope stage.

QHHC  has been specifically designed to be used with the Quantitative Hyperspectral Lamps (QHSL series) and Hyperspectral Acquisition and Control (HAC) Software.

3. Quantitative Hyperspectral Lamp (QHSL)

The Quantitative Hyperspectral Lamp (QHSL) (patent pending) employs multiple LED component sources. The optical output paths are combined such that the device is able to produce a single output beam at any of the available wavelengths.

The QHSL-1.3_20 model provides 20 different wavelengths from the shortest wavelength at 340nm with the longest wavelength being 730nm. The exact wavelengths can be tailored upon request.

The output of the lamp is collimated and able to interface to most microscope systems via an adapter kit.

NOTE: The HAC software is sold separately to the controller and the lamp and requires a licence agreement.