Design and Construction of Camera-Based Spectrometers and Polarimeters for Vision Research

为了了解紫外线(UV)和偏振视觉在动物体内的可能功能，有必要观察和测量这些环境参数。由于我们在功能上对光环境的这些方面视而不见，我们必须依靠诸如光谱辐射计和照相机之类的仪器来进行可视化。我们还有必要了解这些环境参数是如何随时间变化的，因为许多动物随着年龄的增长而获得和失去这些视觉敏感度。该项目将为W和偏振视觉的研究提供两种新的仪器。第一种是基于摄影相机的光谱辐射计，它将允许对从300纳米到700纳米的太阳光谱进行无人值守的长期监测。第二种是基于对三管彩色电视摄像机的改进而制成的成像偏振仪。这种相机已经被用于可见光和紫外光的多光谱成像，而偏振成像的加入将大大增强它的实用性。使用这些仪器获得的信息将极大地增强我们对动物为什么会进化出紫外线和偏振视觉能力的理解。成像偏振仪还将确定相关视觉目标的偏振特性，例如浮游生物猎物，这些目标可以获得紫外线信息。

In order to understand the possible functions of ultraviolet-(UV) and polarization-vision in animals, it is necessary to be able to view and measure these environmental parameters. Since we are functionally blind to these aspects of the photic environment, we must depend on instrumentation such as spectroradiometers and cameras for visualization. It is also necessary that we understand how these environmental parameters vary with time as many animals gain and lose these visual sensitivities with age. This project will provide two new instruments for the study of W and polarization vision. The first is a photographic camera-based spectroradiometer which will allow for unattended, long-term monitoring of the solar spectrum from 300 nm to 700 nm. The second is an imaging polarimeter based on modifications to a three-tube colour television camera. This camera is already being used for multispectral imaging in the visible and UV, and the addition of polarization imaging will greatly enhance its utility. The information gained using these instruments will greatly enhance our understanding of why animals have evolved UV and polarization visual capabilities. The imaging polarimeter will also determine the polarization c haracteristics of relevant visual targets, such as planktonic prey, for which UV information is available.