Vision Based Spectroscopy Simulation

Computer vision based spectroscopy is feasible due to the advent of faster cameras and computers. Here, spectroscopy means detecting elements based on the intensity patterns of laser induced breakdown spectra seen by a camera. This is conventionally done by using specific instruments-spectroscopes-which too may use CCD devices as the sensors. Using a commercial camera reduces the cost of the product, while enabling the testing of new detection algorithms. A simulation setup is helpful in this context. The computer vision based spectroscopy simulation, which we propose here, involves displaying patterns on a computer screen corresponding to a reduced standard database of spectra, observing the screen using a camera, and detecting the elements, preferably on a different computer. We show that, using markers and computing homographies, correct alignment of the scene and image planes can be achieved to detect the element. This set up can be used to test detection algorithms, and we apply a simple correlation based algorithm for pattern detection.