A Miniature Low-Cost Application-Specific Spectrometer for 1.0 um to 2.5 um

We propose to deliver a near infrared focal plane array (NIR-FPA) with spectral discrimination optics over each pixel. The innovation is a 16-element 1.0 - 2.5 um InGaAs FPA mated with a 16-wavelength dielectric stack filter array and silicon readout multiplexer. The hybrid assembly will be mounted on a thermoelectric cooler into a small TO-8 package for high sensitivity (D*>10 12cm(Hz)1/2 /W) operation. The result will be an application-specific spectrometer that fits in a one-inch cube. This program addresses a fundamental problem of application spectroscopy: few wavelengths are required, but they are more widely spaced than can be detected with a single FPA with a finite number of pixels mounted on a spectrograph with fixed dispersion. The array, multiplexer, and packaging will be universal; the dielectric stack array will customize the device to specific applications. In Phase I, we will develop the 16-element InGaAs array and integrate it with a mosaic of dielectric stack filters. A packaged device will be delivered. In Phase II, we will develop and fabricate a dielectric stack filter array and silicon readout multiplexer specific to an application chosen in conjunction with the Technical Monitor.