Scientists have created a compact spectral singlet lens that turns standard cameras into hyperspectral ones, reducing system size and complexity. This breakthrough could expand hyperspectral imaging into portable applications, with future improvements underway.

The information we gather shapes our understanding and perspectives of the world. For centuries, optics has sought to interpret the multidimensional data around us through the “toolbox” of light. In the 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton introduced the lens imaging formula and conducted his famous color spectrum experiment, laying foundational insights in the field.