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Title: THE USE OF INTERFEROMETERS AND IMAGING SPECTROMETERS FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

Author
item Barton Ii, Franklin
item Himmelsbach, David
item DE HASETH, JAMES - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item Windham, William
item SMITH, W - WASHINGTON UNIV-MO

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2004
Publication Date: 5/1/2004
Citation: Barton II, F.E., Himmelsbach, D.S., De Haseth, J.A., Windham, W.R., Smith, W.H. 2004. The use of interferometers and imaging spectrometers for agricultural applications [abstract]. Australian NIR Group Proceedings. Freemantle, Australia, April 17-20, 2004. p. 2.

Interpretive Summary: This is an abstract only. An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: The use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in agricultural applications has been well served by the dispersive instruments we have all used over the past 35 years. In the last decade traditional FT-IR companies have introduced interferometers into the marketplace, but without the extensive chemometric software we have been accustomed to with our older instruments. These new instruments offer improved spectral resolution over dispersive instruments, new detector options and "quick" change sample handling devices. Imaging spectrometers have the advantage of speed over conventional spectrometers as well as the ability to sense information in a spatial context as well as spectral. The focal plane array detectors have the added advantage of stability and ruggedness in a compact size. There are several applications, which lend themselves to these newer instruments. The identification of "stickiness" on cotton has been one application which was never possible with a dispersive spectrometer. In previous work the ability to detect "stickiness" in cotton was possible with an interferometer at 4 cm**1. Stickiness as measured by the use of a small carding or fiber opening device called a "mini-card" could be determined to a precision of +/- 0.25 on a scale from 0-3. The "mini-card" is the only reliable device to measure the stickiness of cotton, however it is large, noisy, slow and off-line. The research grade interferometer and the conditions one finds in a cotton gin are not compatible, therefore an instrument is needed that can make the measurement and withstand the environment. Two interferometers which are suitable for on-line or at-line operation were evaluated along with an interferometer of a different type. A Digital Array Scanning Interferometer (DASI) utilizing an extended Indium/Galium/Arsenide InGaAs linear array (1 X 256) was developed to be used in the field, the cotton gin and spinning plant. Results from this instrument will be compared to the Research grade FT-NIR. The determinations of fiber in the standing flax plant and shive in flax during processing are two other applications for new sensors. The properties have been measured and modeled in the laboratory, but a robust sensor to take to the field is needed. Hyperspectral imaging has been used in microscopic and macroscopic applications for several different applications. The use to measure fecal contamination of poultry carcasses during processing and the identification of the site of enzymatic action on plant cell walls are two applications that highlight the breadth of the imaging technology.