Researchers from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics have developed a static interferometric infrared binocular stereoscopic snapshot imaging spectrometer that can capture three-dimensional shape and spectral information at the same time. The new system offers a compact and real-time solution for detecting both the structure and material composition of a target, which could support applications in resource exploration, biomedicine, and clinical diagnosis.The research results were published in Optics & Laser Technology.

Three-dimensional morphology and spectral imaging are both important tools for observing the physical world. Three-dimensional imaging reveals the shape, depth, and spatial structure of an object, while spectral imaging provides information about its material composition by measuring how it absorbs or emits light at different wavelengths. In many real-world scenarios, both kinds of information are needed together. For example, in biomedical imaging, doctors may need to observe both tissue structure and biochemical features. The challenge is that most existing systems do not acquire these two kinds of information in a truly synchronized way.

Conventional solutions usually follow one of two routes. Some rely on multiple separate modules, such as one optical path for imaging and another for spectral detection. Although workable, this arrangement can introduce alignment difficulties and fusion errors because the signals are collected through different paths and then combined afterward. Other systems use scanning or rotating mechanisms to collect data over time. These approaches can provide rich information, but they are less suitable for dynamic scenes because motion can reduce temporal consistency and blur the relationship between spatial and spectral signals.

To address these limitations, the research team proposed a fully static binocular optical architecture operating in the mid-wave infrared band. Instead of assembling several independent modules or relying on moving parts, the new system integrates binocular stereoscopic imaging and Fourier transform spectral detection into one coordinated optical path. In this design, light from the target first enters a binocular optical structure, which introduces parallax information needed for 3D reconstruction. It then passes through a set of micro-optical components that modulate optical path differences and generate interference information for spectral recovery. In this way, depth information and spectral information are recorded within the same snapshot.

A central feature of the system is the use of two specially designed phase-modulated micromirror components. These micro-optical elements make it possible to encode parallax and interference information simultaneously within a common optical path. One set of micromirrors is arranged symmetrically so that the left and right fields of view share consistent interference orders, while another set performs optical path difference modulation for spectral sampling. This arrangement allows the system to collect multidimensional information in a single frame and then separate it computationally into spectral and stereoscopic outputs.

The researchers did not stop at optical design. They also developed a dedicated fabrication strategy for the core micromirror components, combining glass substrate assembly, interference fringe-assisted debugging, and ultra-fine unidirectional displacement control. This helped the team build the high-precision stepped microstructures needed for stable phase modulation. In parallel, they established an optical transmission model, analyzed fabrication tolerances, and optimized the layout of the binocular optical path so that the system could achieve reliable 3D reconstruction.

To verify the concept, the team built a proof-of-principle prototype and carried out a series of experiments. The system was tested on targets made of different materials, including metal, stone, and gypsum, and successfully reconstructed their spectral responses while also recovering three-dimensional shape information. It was also used to detect carbon dioxide features produced by combustion and to reconstruct the geometry of static and moving objects. These results show that the system can distinguish material-related spectral characteristics while preserving stereoscopic measurement capability in a single integrated framework.

Beyond the prototype itself, the study points to a broader direction in optical sensing: moving from separate measurement of structure and composition toward synchronized, real-time, multimodal detection. By avoiding motion mechanisms and reducing the mismatch that can arise from multiple independent optical paths, the new spectrometer provides a practical route toward more compact and temporally consistent sensing system.

The researchers believe the technology could support a range of future applications. In resource exploration and environmental monitoring, it may help identify both the shape and composition of remote targets. In biomedical and clinical settings, it may offer a way to capture structural and spectral information together without repeated scanning. With further refinement in fabrication, integration, and algorithm design, the system could become a useful platform for next-generation infrared multidimensional imaging.