Periodic Reporting for period 2 - xCLASS (Next generation Compact Lightsource And Spectrometer Systems)
Période du rapport: 2019-09-01 au 2021-08-31
Photonic sensors, such as optical spectrometers, that convert physical quantities into readable signals, are becoming more widespread for metrology and security applications. But there was also an increased need of using spectroscopy in the process industry, food processing for yield improvement and for environmental control. Increasing health awareness of citizens in Europe has led to an expanding demand for sensorial information. Processing of the spectral information, and the interpretation and dissemination hereof are already achieved using ICT and the broadcast infrastructure. First steps to extract spectral information by using ubiquitous smartphones have been made, however these cases are very limited and do not provide all required information with suitable accuracy. What was missing are novel and cost-effective methods to sense the desired analytes with high sensitivity, high reliability and a sufficiently compact and portable device, so that spectroscopic measurements can be carried out essentially everywhere.
To address these needs, technological breakthroughs were required to provide cost-effective high-sensitivity and high-selectivity measurement techniques based on photonic instrumentation, to bring diagnostic capabilities from the laboratory to the end-user. But at the start of the project we were facing a problem, there was a severe shortage in the European spectroscopy industry of graduates and PhDs with expertise along the complete technology supply chain for the development of optical spectrometer systems. Training and education in all its aspects, namely in optical modelling and design, fabrication and prototyping, measurement and characterization, sensor readout and data analysis towards proof-of-principle demonstration and industrial valorisation of optical spectrometer systems is crucial and was offered during xCLASS. xCLASS set up a training through research programme and as such addressed this shortage.
To realize the disruptive miniaturized optical spectrometer system, the Brussels Photonics Team (B-PHOT) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), a renowned research group in the field of photonics and spectroscopy, the Electronics and Informatics Department (ETRO) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, experts in sensor read-out and data processing and Anteryon (ANT), an innovative industrial producer of medium- and high-volume optical components collaborated together in xCLASS. In this training and research programme the xCLASS consortium investigated, designed, modelled, developed and integrated key photonic components for a low-cost miniaturized optical spectrometer system and trained young researchers in the full technological supply chain for these spectrometer systems.
To address these needs, technological breakthroughs were required to provide cost-effective high-sensitivity and high-selectivity measurement techniques based on photonic instrumentation, to bring diagnostic capabilities from the laboratory to the end-user. But at the start of the project we were facing a problem, there was a severe shortage in the European spectroscopy industry of graduates and PhDs with expertise along the complete technology supply chain for the development of optical spectrometer systems. Training and education in all its aspects, namely in optical modelling and design, fabrication and prototyping, measurement and characterization, sensor readout and data analysis towards proof-of-principle demonstration and industrial valorisation of optical spectrometer systems is crucial and was offered during xCLASS. xCLASS set up a training through research programme and as such addressed this shortage.
To realize the disruptive miniaturized optical spectrometer system, the Brussels Photonics Team (B-PHOT) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), a renowned research group in the field of photonics and spectroscopy, the Electronics and Informatics Department (ETRO) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, experts in sensor read-out and data processing and Anteryon (ANT), an innovative industrial producer of medium- and high-volume optical components collaborated together in xCLASS. In this training and research programme the xCLASS consortium investigated, designed, modelled, developed and integrated key photonic components for a low-cost miniaturized optical spectrometer system and trained young researchers in the full technological supply chain for these spectrometer systems.
Within the xCLASS project, the ESRs worked towards a miniature, monolithic and cost-effective spectrometer measurement system capable of covering both the visible and short-wave infrared part of the spectrum. Both a compact, tuneable light source as well as a spectrophotometer were developed.
First, a 6 inch³ xCLASS VIS and NIR Tuneable Light Source based upon Digital Micromirror Device and combined with a high-intensity broadband light source was developed covering a wavelength range from 360nm to 1700nm and providing tuneable spectral lines with FWHM up to 10 nm. Secondly, a full fabrication chain for mass-producing uniform and reproducible diffraction gratings was set up resulting in optimized grating structures integrated into a miniaturized proof-of-concept spectrometer. By applying deconvolution algorithms the resolution of the spectrometer could be further improved. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm can help optical designers to soften the requirements they apply to the optical configuration of spectrometers. Finally, the Digital Micromirror Devices along with a high-speed time-gated CMOS single pixel was used to build a proof-of-concept for a time-resolved fluorescence spectrometer. These results were presented at conferences and communicated to various stakeholders.
In conclusion, the xCLASS project has generated several technical innovations in addition to a valuable training program for the ESRs and non-xCLASS researchers during which they could learn how to model and design, fabricate and prototype, measure and characterize the various parts of a spectrometer measurement system. xCLASS offered a well-established blend of interdisciplinary training performed both in academic and industrial conditions to reduce the time between research and development and innovation through demonstration and validation of new solutions and technologies in real world settings, in order to maximise their impact and help expand the European spectroscopy industry.
The project will further leverage and strengthen Europe’s industrial leadership in core photonics technology, more specifically in optical components, diffractive gratings, and key-modules for optical spectroscopy, domains in which Anteryon is active in. Beyond the impact on the people’s careers and the economic impact there will also be a significant societal impact once the scientific results will be translated into new products.
First, a 6 inch³ xCLASS VIS and NIR Tuneable Light Source based upon Digital Micromirror Device and combined with a high-intensity broadband light source was developed covering a wavelength range from 360nm to 1700nm and providing tuneable spectral lines with FWHM up to 10 nm. Secondly, a full fabrication chain for mass-producing uniform and reproducible diffraction gratings was set up resulting in optimized grating structures integrated into a miniaturized proof-of-concept spectrometer. By applying deconvolution algorithms the resolution of the spectrometer could be further improved. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm can help optical designers to soften the requirements they apply to the optical configuration of spectrometers. Finally, the Digital Micromirror Devices along with a high-speed time-gated CMOS single pixel was used to build a proof-of-concept for a time-resolved fluorescence spectrometer. These results were presented at conferences and communicated to various stakeholders.
In conclusion, the xCLASS project has generated several technical innovations in addition to a valuable training program for the ESRs and non-xCLASS researchers during which they could learn how to model and design, fabricate and prototype, measure and characterize the various parts of a spectrometer measurement system. xCLASS offered a well-established blend of interdisciplinary training performed both in academic and industrial conditions to reduce the time between research and development and innovation through demonstration and validation of new solutions and technologies in real world settings, in order to maximise their impact and help expand the European spectroscopy industry.
The project will further leverage and strengthen Europe’s industrial leadership in core photonics technology, more specifically in optical components, diffractive gratings, and key-modules for optical spectroscopy, domains in which Anteryon is active in. Beyond the impact on the people’s careers and the economic impact there will also be a significant societal impact once the scientific results will be translated into new products.
XCLASS succeeded in taking a significant step beyond the state-of-the-art by creating a new generation of more compact optical spectrometer systems with improved sensitivity and reliability and reduced cost and size which will ultimately pave the way to an extended range of applications.
In addition, the fostering/creation of new collaborations, the sharing of new techniques and infrastructures between academic research groups and the industrial partner within the xCLASS consortium, led to scientific breakthroughs and progress of the state of the art in the domain of optical spectroscopy (spectral range, spectral resolution, SNR and improved sensitivity, cost, compactness). As result new collaborations with both a medical center and an industry active in the domain of optical spectroscopy were initiated.
The training and research methods of xCLASS educated a new multidisciplinary generation of scientists who will enable Europe to take a leading role in competitive scientific, technological and economic developments, thereby substantially strengthening the European Innovation capacity. The impact of the xCLASS project on the ESRs or recruited researchers is large as none of them could have started a PhD without this Marie-Curie funding. During the past years, the ESRs received various trainings in a basic set of key skills (English and Dutch language skills, presenting, networking, project-, quality-, IPR-management, business cases) and operational processes of an innovative company paving the way towards a broad set of job offers.
In addition, the fostering/creation of new collaborations, the sharing of new techniques and infrastructures between academic research groups and the industrial partner within the xCLASS consortium, led to scientific breakthroughs and progress of the state of the art in the domain of optical spectroscopy (spectral range, spectral resolution, SNR and improved sensitivity, cost, compactness). As result new collaborations with both a medical center and an industry active in the domain of optical spectroscopy were initiated.
The training and research methods of xCLASS educated a new multidisciplinary generation of scientists who will enable Europe to take a leading role in competitive scientific, technological and economic developments, thereby substantially strengthening the European Innovation capacity. The impact of the xCLASS project on the ESRs or recruited researchers is large as none of them could have started a PhD without this Marie-Curie funding. During the past years, the ESRs received various trainings in a basic set of key skills (English and Dutch language skills, presenting, networking, project-, quality-, IPR-management, business cases) and operational processes of an innovative company paving the way towards a broad set of job offers.