Optical spectrometers play a crucial role in various fields, from medical diagnoses to material characterization. However, traditional spectrometer designs are often bulky and expensive, limiting their widespread use. In recent years, there has been a push to develop more compact and cost-effective optical spectrometers that can be deployed on a large scale.
A team of researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and other institutes in China have recently made a significant breakthrough in the field of optical spectrometry. They have designed and fabricated a micro-sized, portable, and cost-effective optical spectrometer that could revolutionize the industry. This new device is based on an organic photodetector with a bias-tunable spectral response, presenting a new approach to miniaturized spectrometry.
The key innovation in this new optical spectrometer lies in the manipulation of the wavelength-dependent location of photocarrier generation in photodiodes. By using a trilayer contact consisting of a transparent back contact, an optical spacer, and a back reflector, the researchers were able to create a photomultiplication-type organic photodetector (PM-OPD). This advanced technology allows for the computational reconstruction of an incident light spectrum from photocurrents measured under different bias voltages, enabling broadband operation across the entire visible wavelength with a sub-5-nm resolution.
The miniaturized optical spectrometer developed by the Chinese research team has shown remarkable results in tests, operating across the entire visible spectrum regime with exceptional resolution. Additionally, the researchers have demonstrated the potential of their design by fabricating an 8 x 8 spectroscopic sensor array for hyperspectral imaging. This technique could detect the unique spectral signatures of specific objects, opening up new possibilities in research and medical practices.
The advancements in optical spectrometer technology showcased in this research could pave the way for the development of similar micro-sized and more affordable devices in the future. These innovations have the potential to drive cutting-edge technologies and improve various industries, expanding the possibilities of optical spectrometry beyond traditional boundaries.