Using UV Imaging Spectrometer to Research Natural World

    Ultraviolet (UV) hyperspectral cameras are used to capture spectral images and display UV reflection features that cannot be detected by human vision. Many animals and insects have visual receptors that are sensitive to ULTRAVIOLET light, and the reflective features of flowers help them attract pollinators, as well as birds and insects looking for food. This shows that UV imaging spectrometer is a potential research tool in plant science, entomology and ornithology.
    Hyperspectral imaging measures the high-resolution spectral data of each pixel in a two-dimensional image. In contrast to the human eye, which senses only three primary colors, a hyperspectral camera can provide hundreds of color channels. The visible range of human eyes is 400-700 nm; Wavelengths shorter than 400 nm are outside the range of human visibility, known as UV.
The spectrum of petals is almost identical in the visible range, but significantly different in UV. The UV signature of the outer region of the petals is very clear.
    Many animals can see ultraviolet light with wavelengths below 400 nm. Mice and other mammals have UV vision, and birds are known to see in UV, too. Animals use UV vision to locate food, recognize mates, and communicate.
    Insects are known to have strong UV visual and physical properties. For example, female butterflies reflect more UV light than male butterflies [4], and UV reflectivity has also been measured in spider webs.
    Plants and animals show obvious spectral features in the UV spectrum range, and many insects and animals take advantage of these features for UV vision. Ultraviolet hyperspectral imaging provides them, and it is providing new insights into animal vision and plant biology. More broadly, ULTRAVIOLET hyperspectral imaging may enable new applications of machine vision to take advantage of spectral features that the human eye cannot see.