Whether it is freshness testing of food, separation of plastics in recycling, analysis of raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry or measurements of the composition of liquids in automobile applications: in each case it is the time efficient qualitative and quantitative determination of the materials involved according to type and concentration. Spectroscopy, here the analysis of light scattered or attenuated by the material, is predestined for these types of applications. Measurements take place without direct contact and non-destructive to the samples.

Despite these advantages and while today’s market does offer many spectrometers for lab use there are few systems for simple on-location measurements. There are two major reasons for this: First most of these instruments use one or two dimensional photodiode arrays of III-V semiconductors like indium-gallium-arsenide, which inflate costs, and second they are voluminous for technological reasons. With miniaturized grating spectrometers this will change, says Dr. Heinrich Grüger, who is responsible for the »Sensors and Actuators Systems« business unit at Fraunhofer IPMS, where the spectrometer has been developed. »Our new hybrid-integrated system has a volume of 2.1 cm³ only, which is about 30% smaller than a common sugar cube. Due to its small outline and low power consumption of only a few milliwatts, it is ideal for integration into mobile measurement instruments and in situ measurements in facilities and buildings.«

With Fraunhofer IPMS scanning grating spectrometers, the light is diffracted on a movable optical grating realized in a MEMS technology. The device utilizes a resonantly driving principle of the grating which enables to scan a spectrum with a single highly sensitive detector instead of an array arrangement. The central element of the spectrometer is a MEMS chip which has been developed by Fraunhofer IPMS and measures just (9.5 × 5.3 × 0.5) mm³. The scientists realize this MEMS scanner featuring the diffraction grating and both optical slits directly on silicon wafers. A single 6″ silicon wafer is large enough for chips for hundreds of spectrometers on it. Applying hybrid-integration of the MEMS wafer with a spacer and an optical mirror substrate of identical size would mean that hundreds of spectrometers can be manufactured instantly. They are aligned and assembled and then separated into individual spectrometers. This means that the scientists don’t have to adjust the mirrors, gratings, slits and detectors piece by piece like required with conventional spectrometers. The advantage is clear: An enormous reduction in manufacturing costs. In addition, the MEMS based systems are distinctly more robust than conventional components manufactured with fine mechanics.

Heinrich Grüger estimates that it will be about three to five years before the system will be ready for introduction to the market. Nevertheless, he and his team will be presenting the first fully functional model of this mini-spectrometer to the broad public at Photonics West in February 2013. The system, which will be demonstrated in an application example of plastics identification, performs measurements in the wavelength range from 950 nm to 1900 nm.  This spectral range opens interesting applications for organic compound evaluation as for example portable analysis instruments for the food industry, mobile medical and pharmaceutical analysis instruments, in situ quality testing or warning and monitoring systems for security or facility management applications.

About Fraunhofer IPMS

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS and its 200 employees turn over an annual research volume of 20 million euros. Fraunhofer IPMS generates more than two thirds of this production capacity out of commissions from industry and publicly financed projects in applied research. The focus of our development and production services lies in the practical industrial application of unique technological know-how in the fields of (optical) micro-electromechanical systems [MEMS, MOEMS]. Fraunhofer IMPS uses scientific know-how, application experience and customer contacts as well as modern equipment and clean room infrastructure. Fraunhofer IPMS covers a broad spectrum of industrial applications. Our services range from initial conception to product development, right down to serial pilot production – from a single component to a complete system solution.