Project Title:

A Very Compact, Light-Weight, High-Speed, Rugged, Near-Infrared Spectrometer

92-1-08.21-7200                                                    NAS07-1209
A Very Compact, Light-Weight, High-Speed,
     Rugged, Near-Infrared Spectrometer
Brimrose Corporation of America
5020 Campbell Boulevard, Suite E
Baltimore, MD  21236
Sean X. Wang                                         (301-931-7200)

Abstract:

     This project will develop a miniature infrared spectrometer
based on an integrated-optic, acousto-optic tunable filter
(IOAOTF) fabricated in an optical waveguide. The optical spectral
analysis is accomplished by the TE-TM mode conversion in the
optical waveguide due to the anisotropic acousto-optic
interaction. The fast wavelength tuning (10 æs) with narrow
passband (several nm) over a wide bandwidth (0.9 to 2.5 æm) is
made possible by an acoustic dynamic grating controlled by simply
changing the acoustic frequency. In combining state-of-the-art
guide-wave technology, integrated optics, and acousto-optics, this
IOAOTF infrared spectrometer offers advantages of light weight
(<1 gram), small size (10 x 5 x 1 mm), low power consumption
(<100 mW), high sensitivity, reliability, ruggedness, self-
calibration, and potentially very low cost.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The device will have
applications in remote sensing, chemical process control, medical
diagnostics, and control and monitoring of environmental
pollutants and contaminants.

                                     ***