SPECTROMETERS: Miniature spectrometer designs open new applications potential

摘要

With embedded, onboard microprocessors for rapid spectral manipulation, a USB 3.0 communication port for faster data transfer, and an ultrafast trigger delay to monitor up to 32 channels of data simultaneously, miniature spectrometers have uses in untapped application areas. Driven by developments in spectrograph optical components, array detectors, fiber-optics, and computing, a significant reduction in the size of optical spectrometers has been realized without sacrificing performance. This has resulted in the commercialization of a new class of low-cost, compact spectrometers, commonly referred to as miniature spectrometers. Viewed as novelty devices when first developed almost 20 years ago, they are now used for applications that were previously carried out by larger, more sophisticated bench-mounted versions. However, limitations in spectral manipulation, data transfer speed, and multichannel measurement capabilities have limited their use for more demanding application areas.