Spectrometers to become common-place through MEMS technology

Press Release /

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are paving the way for small-sized sensor systems ready for mobile applications which allow measurements to be conducted simply on-site. Further, sensors can be easily integrated in industrial instruments in both production and processing facilities. Among others, possible applications can be found in the field of spectroscopic measurement systems, in which substances are subjected to electromagnetic or acoustic waves to detect the spectral response of the sample. Through the measurement of the unique response spectrum (“fingerprint”), solid, liquid or gaseous substances alike can be determined and analyzed. A leading international institution in the development and manufacture of MEMS, the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS will introduce two approaches to optical spectroscopy as well as an ultrasonic spectroscopy solution at the 2016 sensors expo taking place in San Jose from June 22-23, 2016. These technologies could be groundbreaking for the development of compact, MEMS-based, mobile mini-spectrometers.