Spectrometers are widely used in industry and research to detect and analyze light. Spectrometers measure the light spectrum – the strength of light at different wavelengths, like the colors of the rainbow – and are an important tool for identifying and analyzing samples and materials. Integrated on-chip spectrometers would be of great use for a variety of technologies, e.g. B. for quality inspection platforms, security sensors, biomedical analyzers, health systems, environmental monitoring instruments and space telescopes.
An international research team led by researchers from Aalto University has developed highly sensitive spectrometers with high wavelength accuracy, high spectral resolution and wide operating bandwidth, using only a single microchip-sized detector. The research results on this new ultra-miniaturized spectrometer were published in the journal Science released.
Our one-detector spectrometer is an all-in-one device. We have developed this optoelectronic laboratory on a chip with artificial intelligence that replaces traditional hardware such as optical and mechanical components. Therefore, our computational spectrometer does not require separate bulky components or array construction to scatter and filter light. It can achieve high resolution comparable to desktop systems, but in a much smaller package,” says postdoc Hoon Hahn Yoon.
With our spectrometer, we can measure light intensity at any wavelength beyond the visible spectrum with a device we can operate with our fingertips. The device is fully electrically controllable, giving it huge potential for scalability and integration. Direct integration into wearable devices such as smartphones and drones might improve our daily lives. Imagine that the next generation of our smartphone cameras might be equipped with hyperspectral cameras that outperform color cameras,” he adds.
The miniaturization of computational spectrometers is essential for their use in chips and implantable applications. Professor Zhipei Sun, leader of the research team, says: “Traditional spectrometers are bulky because they require optical and mechanical components, so their applications are limited to chips. In this field, there is an increasing need to improve the performance and usability of spectrometers From this point of view, miniaturized spectrometers are very important to provide high performance and new functions in all fields of science and industry.
Professor Pertti Hakonen adds that “Finland and Aalto have invested in photonics research in recent years. For example, there has been great support from the Finnish Academy’s Center of Excellence in Quantum Technology, the flagship for photonics research and innovation, InstituteQ and the Otanano “Infrastructure. Our new spectrometer is clear evidence of the success of this joint effort. I believe that with further improvements in resolution and efficiency, these spectrometers might provide new tools for quantum information processing.”