Translatory MEMS actuators for optical path length modulation in miniaturized Fourier-transform infrared spectrometers

Thilo Sandner; Christian Drabe; Harald Schenk; Andreas Kenda; Werner Scherf

doi:10.1117/1.2945227

1 April 2008 Translatory MEMS actuators for optical path length modulation in miniaturized Fourier-transform infrared spectrometers

Thilo Sandner, Christian Drabe, Harald Schenk, Andreas Kenda, Werner Scherf

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, Vol. 7, Issue 2, 021006 (April 2008). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2945227

Abstract

We present several types of translatory MOEMS actuators developed for fast optical-path-length modulation [e.g., in confocal microscopes or Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers] and their application on miniaturized FTIR spectrometers capable of performing time-resolved measurements from the near infrared to the mid infrared. The MOEMS devices are manufactured in a complementary metal oxide semi conductor compatible silicon-on-insulator process. They are electrostatically resonant, driven using in-plane comb drives. A first translatory 5-kHz MOEMS device is used in a first prototype of a miniaturized MOEMS-based FTIR spectrometer where the MOEMS actuator replaces the macroscopic mirror drive, enabling a miniaturized, robust, and low-cost FTIR system. The mirror plate of 1.65 mm² is suspended by bending springs. Due to the resonant operation, a 200-µm stroke can be achieved with low voltages (<40 V) at an ambient pressure below 500 Pa. Consequently, this yields a spectral resolution of 25 cm^-1 and an acquisition time of 200 µs per spectrum. In addition, we present a novel MOEMS device with an increased mirror aperture of 7.1 mm² and pantograph-like mirror suspension enabling up to a 500-µm stroke. This device is specifically optimized for miniaturized FTIR spectrometers to enable an improved spectral resolution of 10 cm^-1 and a signal-to-noise ratio of >1000:1.

©(2008) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

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Thilo Sandner, Christian Drabe, Harald Schenk, Andreas Kenda, and Werner Scherf "Translatory MEMS actuators for optical path length modulation in miniaturized Fourier-transform infrared spectrometers," Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS 7(2), 021006 (1 April 2008). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2945227

Published: 1 April 2008

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