This technology is a compact, robust photonic crystal-based spectrometer designed to extract wavelength-specific information from light without moving parts, enabling miniaturized and robust infrared spectral analysis.
Current infrared (IR) spectrometers, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) devices, rely on moving mirrors to achieve spectral resolution, making them bulky and sensitive to vibrations. Relying on moving parts limits their utility in portable applications, high-vibration settings, or extreme environments, such as high vacuums or cryogenic temperatures. There is a need for a miniaturized, durable spectrometer that can perform high-quality molecular analysis in non-stable laboratory settings.
This technology utilizes the leaky modes of an array of photonic crystals patterned on a multimode waveguide to selectively extract wavelength-specific light. Unlike conventional Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) systems, this device resolves wavelengths along two dimensions, allowing the extracted light to be detected by a standard 2D detector array (imager). This design eliminates the need for moving parts, significantly reducing the device footprint while increasing tolerance to vibration, temperature fluctuations, and vacuum environments.
Ioannis (John) Kymissis, Ph.D.
Patents Issued (US 9,366,571, US 8,854,624)
IR M11-035, M10-123
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel
