Compact High Performance Spectrometers Using Computational Imaging

Energy Research Company (ERCo), in collaboration with CoVar Applied Technologies, proposes the development of high throughput, compact, and lower cost spectrometers that can exceed the performance of much larger and more expensive spectrometers. This performance gain is achieved through the use of computational imaging technology. Because the technology can be used from the deep UV to the IR, applications of the spectrometers include sensing modalities such as Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The market advantages of the concept are its higher performance than current compact spectrometers, and lower cost, lighter weight, and smaller size as compared to high performance spectrometer systems. The Phase I work plan will consist of building and testing a laboratory bench top prototype to prove the concept.