Fraunhofer develops MEMS scanning grating spectrometer
Therefore the motivation for the research is to create a compact mobile sensor that can quickly detect and quantify these materials.
Fraunhofer is working with 17 other companies in the MIRIFISENS project to help achieve this. The project began in September 2012 and runs for 42 months. The total budget is €12.6 million (about $14.6 million), of which the European taxpayer will provide €8.6 million (about $10 million).
At the core of the MIRIFISENS project – Mid Infrared Innovative Lasers for Improved Sensing of Hazardous Substances – is a miniaturized quantum cascade laser (QCL), which is being developed by researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF in Freiburg. The QCL covers a large range of the wavelengths that are important for the spectroscopic fingerprint in the medium infrared range. To set the light of the QCL to the defined wavelengths, scientists at Fraunhofer IPMS developed a highly reflective diffraction grating acts as the quantum cascade laser’s variable frequency external resonator. It allows for the tuning of laser wavelengths with a frequency of 1000 Hz, with a variable frequency range of up to 20 percent of the central wavelength.
QCL module with integrated MEMS diffraction grating. Source Fraunhofer IAF.
"Electrostatically-driven MEMS grating mirrors are much more compact than galvanometer scanners, make almost no sound and allow for very high scanning frequencies due to their low weight. In combination with miniaturized laser sources, they are ideal for integration into mobile handy sensor systems, simple measurements on location and for integration into industrial measurement technology at production and processing facilities," said Fraunhofer IPMS’ project manager Jan Grahmann
Grahmann is due to present a paper on the grating at the Photonics West conference in San Francisco, which is held 7 to12 February 2015. The paper is titled Large MOEMS diffraction grating results providing an EC-QCL wavelength scan of percent. A prototype grating will also be exhibited at the Photonics West exhibition, which takes place Feb. 10 to 12.
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