The smallest spectrometer in the world of wearable medical devices on the fingertips

About five years ago, the thumb-sized small spectrometer (MS series) was released for sale and significantly expanded the use of spectrometers. Hamamatsu Photon has now developed a smaller, low-cost microspectrometer than ever before. The miniature spectrometer is an ultra-small model with a weight of only 5 grams. Although the performance is mostly the same as our current small spectrometer (MS series), the miniature spectrometer is more compact and sturdy and inexpensive. Applications include the consumer electronics sector where there is still a huge untapped market. In order to learn more about the development background, potential applications and future development of the micro spectrometer, we interviewed four members who participated in the research and development of products.

Hamamatsu Micro Spectrometer C12666MA

The world's smallest spectrometer

How did you start to translate the idea of ​​a fingertip-sized microspectrometer into a product?

Shibayama: The usual image of a spectrometer is a large device mounted on a laboratory bench, but we insist that the goal of R&D is to develop a highly portable and mobile product that is as small as possible. About 10 years ago, we released a small-scale spectrometer (TG series) of the size of a handheld computer. About five years ago, a small-sized spectrometer (MS series) with a thumb size was released. However, customers still ask us to "make them smaller and cheaper." Therefore, we set out to work and develop this new miniature spectrometer.

Yokino: Compared to a small spectrometer (MS series) with a width of less than 3 cm, the micro spectrometer is about 2 cm wide and is about 50% lighter and lighter than the MS series of small spectrometers. The package for this new miniature spectrometer is made of metal, while the MS series is a plastic package. Specifically, we replaced a highly reliable and rugged sealed package (see note). This allows us to significantly reduce cost and size while maintaining the same performance as the MS Series.

Note: The hermetic package is a metal-to-metal or glass-metal soldered hermetic package that protects internal components and isolates humidity.

What is the background behind the customer’s “smaller size” requirement?

Ito: Considering size and price, traditional spectrometers are mainly used for measurement and industrial applications, not at the individual or private level. However, the emergence of small-scale spectrometers (MS series) on the market has changed this concept, and we have begun to study smaller and cheaper spectrometers. But there is a need for further size and price to make them widely available in the consumer electronics market.

Hikita: Small spectrometers can be built into compact devices. For example, we will see new applications indoors connected to smartphones or medical devices .

Yokion: Considering indoor and outdoor use, we decided to use a high-strength, reliable metal to make a sealed package, without the use of a plastic package through which moisture can pass.

Are there similar products on the market?

Hikta: Yes, just consider the size, there are similar products. Strictly speaking, they are not the same, because our miniature spectrometer allows light to pass through the slit, while competing products use fiber to conduct light.

Ito: So if you specify a similar product to be a spectrometer that allows direct input of light, then our products are the world's smallest and have high performance. Our products are likely to open up a whole new field in the market.

Compact size and high performance with MEMS and image sensor manufacturing technology

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