This Phase I SBIR proposal is for the initial development of a miniaturized real-time visible/UV spectrometer based on micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) technology. Use of MOEMS technology enables orders of magnitude reductions in size, weight and power from the smallest spectrometers commercially available today and virtually assures exceeding stated corresponding SBIR requirements. The proposed approach capitalizes on recent MORGAN Research Corporation experience in developing precise placement, alignment and motion control of miniature optical components on MOEMS chips for infrared (IR) spectrometer detection of chemical/bio agents on mobile platforms such as US Army Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). The proposed baseline optical design extends conventional Infrared (IR) spectroscopy to visible/UV spectral regions using this MOEMS technology. Investigations will include the development of optical solutions to achieving real-time operation made possible by MOEMS technology. The proposed Phase I Effort includes the assembly and testing of a miniature optical breadboard to validate design and tradeoff analysis, as well as, support estimates of per-unit costs and performance ratings. An initial MOEMS chip will be designed, fabricated and tested to validate actuator designs and to enable a smooth transition into a Phase II development of MOEMS based engineering prototypes(s). There are a large number of visible/UV spectrometers currently in use for a wide variety of applications including commercial, Department of Defense (DoD), NASA and in educational and research organizations. Many of these would be candidates for immediate, or attrition/upgrade replacement with a MOEMS based miniaturized real-time solution. In addition, the small size, weight and power requirements of such as system opens up many new potential applications previously not viable. These applications include hand-held or minimally invasive medical and emergency diagnostic instrumentation, chemical/bio agent scanning of public entrance areas, customs inspection, drug enforcement, fuel/chemical leak detection, ground/water/air contamination analysis/monitoring, oil-well and geological survey drilling, oceanographic investigations, as well as potential use in small satellites, unmanned rockets and space probes.
