Episode 1: Miniaturized spectrometer exhibits detectivity from UV to NIR

MRS Bulletin Materials News Podcast · Jan 5, 2026 · 5m

In this podcast episode, MRS Bulletin’s Laura Leay interviews Harry Schrickx and Brendan O’Connor from North Carolina State University about their proof-of-concept for a miniaturized spectrometer. With the use of organic components, the spectrometer has a low-power requirement and is sensitive to wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to near infrared. A unique feature of the design is back-to-back diodes. The research group uses a reconstruction algorithm to determine the spectrum of the incident light, having first been trained using known wavelengths of monochromatic light. The algorithm…