Concept of a miniature optical spectrometer using integrated optical and micro-optical components

• DOI: 10.1364/ao.45.007811
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T18:55:47Z
• Authors: Ivan Avrutsky; Kalyani Chaganti; Ildar Salakhutdinov; Gregory Auner
• Keywords: 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

We describe the concept of a super compact diffractive imaging spectrometer, with optical components a few millimeters across in all dimensions, capable of detecting optical fluorescence spectra within the entire visible spectral range from 400 nm to 700 nm with resolution of the order of 2 nm. In addition, the proposed spectrometer is capable of working simultaneously with multiple, up to 35, independent input optical channels. A specially designed diffractive optical element integrated with a planar optical waveguide is the key component of the proposed device. In the preliminary experimental tests, a uniform waveguide grating with a microlens was used to mimic operation of the diffractive optical element. A microspectrometer with optical components measured below 1 cm in all dimensions covers the spectral range from 450 nm to 650 nm and shows a spectral resolution of 0.5 nm at wavelengths close to 514 nm and 633 nm.