Phase One Launches “Rainbow” the First Automated 100MP Multispectral Imaging Solution

Unveils the Invisible — using Visual and Scientific Analysis

COPENHAGEN, April 7, 2020 – Phase One today launched the first fully automated high-resolution solution for multispectral imaging (MSI). At the touch of a button, the Phase One Rainbow MSI Solution can precisely and non-invasively analyze materials for hidden properties — ranging from painting layers to crime scene evidence.

Accurate and reliable results are achieved quickly and efficiently thanks to newly designed automation technology that produces a perfect image stack — normalized and repeatable. Results can then be shared globally for academic, research and other forensic purposes.

Phase One has developed a flexible and mobile MSI solution with a workflow based on best practices, culled from many years of working with specialists on MSI projects. Innovative Rainbow MSI software controls all components of the solution, automating the process through industry-standard USB connections. This includes focusing the camera, moving the filter carousel on the filter wheel, turning the lights on and off in the correct order and timing, aligning the images and finally creating the perfect image stack.

The Phase One iXG 100MP Wide Spectrum camera system utilizes special filters combined with multiband and narrowband LED lights, which can capture select slices of the spectrum — from UV, through Visible, and into IR light wavelengths. By using LED lights, only non-destructive, low energy light is emitted onto the original subject matter. A filter wheel in front of the camera supports the capture of both reflected images and photo-induced luminescence images from a given wavelength of light.

Phase One Rainbow MSI Solution offers Application Flexibility

To serve the widest range of MSI applications, the Phase One Rainbow MSI Solution is available with a choice of one or both light source configurations:

• The Multiband, DedoLight configuration, with capture and processing presets for delivering the image stack complying to the “CHARISMA” manual, developed by the British Museum in collaboration with EU partners. This method applies visual analysis of mostly polychrome surfaces, for use within conservation work, analysis of paintings, wall paintings, textiles, or for law enforcement work including crime scene analysis. CHARISMA ref: https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/research_projects/all_current_projects/charisma.aspx
• The Narrowband, EurekaLight configuration, typically used for achieving readability of decayed or damaged documents, by applying post-processing image analysis, using scientific and statistical methods. With the Narrowband configuration, image stacks of up to 25 images are captured, to be analyzed in post processing software (Paleo Toolbox, ImageJ, MatLab, etc.)

MSI Photography Customers and Applications

The application areas and subject matter for MSI photography are increasing all the time. Customers include:

• Librarians and collectors analyzing documents, such as writings on parchment, scrolls, paper, often in poor condition for readability, material distribution and state of conservation.
• Conservators, archivists and researchers in museums and conservation institutes who are analyzing polychrome surfaces such as paintings on canvas, wood, stone, textile and other materials. One common application is non-invasive analysis for planning conservation work and to determine authenticity. MSI can also be used by researchers for analysis of fabrics of all kinds. One application is historic research to determine age and nature of the material.
• Law enforcement agencies investigating objects such as legal documents, passports, and bank notes, or analyzing crime scenes, for example, to discover traces of materials, of residue and of human bodily fluids.
• Industrial customers working with materials characterization and sorting. Applications include quality assurance, research and development of new materials, and analysis for machine vision.

The iXG camera system is designed to be configurable also for normal volume digitization work by simply attaching the included UV/IR-cut filter to the magnetic filter holder of the lens. Available lenses include Schneider Kreuznach RS 72mm and/ or 120mm.

The 100-megapixel resolution and the color fidelity of the Phase One iXG Wide Spectrum camera yield outstanding image quality, meeting Cultural Heritage industry imaging standards (Metamorfoze, FADGI, ISO 19264). The system’s CMOS-based sensor delivers fast and accurate Live View for image positioning and capture.

Phase One MSI Expert Team

The Rainbow MSI solution can be tailored for a very wide range of applications. The Phase One MSI Expert Team is ready with customer guidance to configure the best solution for a given application, backed up with online demonstration and sample imaging from the central Phase One MSI demo center in Cologne, Germany and at partner demo sites.

For feasibility studies, smaller projects, and operational support, Phase One offers workshops in which specialists take the customer through the basics of MSI, and the process of capturing relevant samples for specific MSI projects.

Availability

The Phase One Rainbow MSI Solution is available now through Phase One Cultural Heritage Partners.

Please contact your local Phase One Cultural Heritage Partner for system configuration options, solutions pricing and demo arrangements: https://www.phaseone.com/en/Cultural-Heritage/Find-CH-Partner

To follow Phase One MSI activities and references, please visit our Scientific Imaging page here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phase-one-ch

For more information please visit our website: https://www.phaseone.com/Cultural-Heritage/Rainbow-Multispectral-Imaging-Solution

About Phase One Industrial

Phase One Industrial, a division of Phase One A/S, researches, develops and manufactures medium and large format digital photography systems, software and imaging solutions for industrial markets.   Solutions range from aerial image acquisition to machine vision applications and cultural heritage preservation. Whether mapping the globe, executing industrial inspections or preserving priceless works of art and documents, the focus is on imaging accuracy.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Phase One Industrial is dedicated to delivering exceptional image quality, productivity and user experience. With offices in Colorado, Cologne, Tel Aviv, Beijing and Tokyo and with its expert teams of global partners, Phase One Industrial serves and supports its customers worldwide.

Phase One is a registered trademark of Phase One A/S. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.