Spectral Detail Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the scene width, scene height and spatial resolution of your spectral imaging system based on sensor, optics, and working distance.
This calculator is designed for engineers, researchers, and system integrators evaluating spectral camera performance during system design, comparison, and specification.
By adjusting the parameters below, you can quickly explore how changes in pixel size, focal length, slit width, and working distance impact spectral resolution and overall system performance.
Input Parameters
Enter your specifications to calculate spectral detail.
- Working Distance: The distance from the target to the focal point of the lens, in mm. Increasing working distance generally reduces spatial and spectral sampling.
- Focal Length: The focal length of the lens used in the optical system, in mm. Longer focal lengths typically improve spectral detail while narrowing the Field of View.
- Slit Length: The length of the spectrograph slit in mm.
- Slit Height: The height of the spectrograph slit in mm.
- Detector Width: The width of the camera detector in mm.
- Horizontal Pixels: The number of horizontal pixels on the sensor.
Tip: Improving spectral detail often involves trade-offs between resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and field of view.
How System Parameters Affect Spectral Detail
Spectral detail is influenced by several interconnected factors:
- Pixel Size: Smaller pixels provide finer spectral sampling but may reduce sensitivity.
- Optical Magnification: Higher magnification increases spectral dispersion across the sensor.
- Slit Width: Narrower slits improve spectral resolution while reducing available light.
- Working Distance: Greater distances can reduce effective spectral and spatial resolution.
- Lens Selection: Focal length and optical quality directly impact system performance.
Understanding these trade-offs is essential when designing or selecting a spectral imaging system.
Enter your parameters below to explore how changes in geometry and sensor characteristics affect spectral resolution.
Calculator results are estimates intended for system planning and comparison. Final performance depends on optical design, illumination, and detector characteristics.