Spectrometer, Monolithic, Silicon
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The Monolithic Silicon Spectrometer (wavelengths > 1.1 μm) has been design and developed consisting of three optical components made from two blocks of Silicon joined into a single piece. The resulting Spectrometer is a compact, lightweight unit that would remain permanently aligned, even when exposed to shock and vibration.
The three optical components consist of a collimating Fresnel lens, a focusing Fresnel lens, and a diffraction grating. These components would be fabricated by machining the required mating alignment features and optical surfaces.. On one Silicon block, the diffraction grating would be micromachined or diamond turned into one face, and the focusing Fresnel lens would be micromachined or diamond-turned into the opposite face. The collimating Fresnel lens would be micromachined or diamond-turned into one face of the other Silicon block. The diffraction grating would be coated with a metal deposition for use in a reflective mode.
After fabrication, the two Silicon blocks would be subjected to a process that is reminiscent of both electroplating and diffusion welding and would work only for Silicon. The Silicon blocks would be placed in contact with alignment fixtures, mated, heated in an oven while a small electric potential was applied between the Silicon blocks. This process would bond the two Silicon blocks.
Source: None Available
Reference: Paul K. Henry and Gregory H. Bearman, Caltech, Pasadena, CA for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Industrial Products
posted by JD52 @ 8:45 PM,
