In today’s industrial landscape, precision, flexibility, and ease of integration are more essential than ever. These demands have led to the growing adoption of compact, robust miniature spectrometers capable of spanning wide spectral ranges, from deep UV at 185 nm to near-infrared wavelengths up to 1,700 nm. These powerful tools are revolutionising the application of spectroscopy in scientific and industrial environments.
Why Compact Spectroscopy Matters
Spectroscopy is a core component of countless analytical tasks, but traditional systems often come with bulky setups and limited flexibility. Many users still rely on in-house solutions or photodiode arrays that can only measure a handful of parameters.
Broadcom’s miniature spectrometers offer a smarter, more compact alternative. Designed to function reliably in demanding environments, these devices provide robust, high-performance measurements in a small footprint. With integrated electronics and SDK-compatible trigger options, they simplify development and integration, allowing users to customise configurations to suit their exact application- without compromising on performance.
The Technology Behind the Devices
At the heart of these devices is a fixed grating design. Specifically, a reflective Czerny-Turner grating setup. This design contains no moving parts, ensuring a high degree of mechanical robustness and long-term stability.
Broadcom’s spectrometers cover a wide spectral range, from deep UV to NIR, and incorporate various sensors to maximise optical performance. Each unit undergoes rigorous factory calibration for wavelength accuracy, sensitivity, and nonlinearity. Housed in thermally stable aluminium enclosures, they feature advanced stray-light suppression for precise and consistent readings.
Three Compact Form Factors
Broadcom offers three main spectrometer families:
- Qwave: The largest of the three, about the size of a deck of cards.
- Qmini: A highly compact unit, roughly the size of a matchbox.
- Qtube: A cylindrical design with a 35 mm diameter.
Each model features an SMA 905 connector for flexible fibre optic coupling and operates reliably across temperatures from -15°C to 60°C. These spectrometers are built to withstand thousands of temperature cycles, making them well-suited for harsh industrial environments.
Introducing the QNeo: Industrial NIR Excellence
For short-wave NIR applications, Broadcom developed the QNeo, a rugged, cost-effective spectrometer equipped with a 256-pixel uncooled InGaAs array. Covering the 950 to 1,700 nm range, it offers excellent sensitivity and an optical resolution of 8 nm.
A standout feature of the QNeo is its thermal stability. Performance remains consistent even when cooled to -25°C, demonstrating that there is no need for additional cooling, which would otherwise add cost and complexity.
Software, Integration, and Customisation
Each Broadcom spectrometer includes a fully featured software suite and SDK at no additional cost. Compatible with platforms like C#, Python, and LabVIEW, it allows developers to integrate systems quickly and easily. For embedded applications or proprietary systems, an open binary protocol enables direct communication with the spectrometer.
The built-in electronics support USB, SPI, and UART interfaces. Broadcom’s spectrometers support Time-critical applications with advanced trigger modes and hardware pins for synchronisation with other equipment, such as light sources to ensure data is captured precisely when needed.
Designed for the Real World
Broadcom’s spectrometers are engineered for durability and longevity. Extensive quality testing including: shock, vibration, and temperature cycling. Thus, ensuring these devices operate consistently in the harshest industrial conditions. All models are compliant with CE, RoHS, FCC, and REACH standards.
Real-World Applications
A wide variety of industries use Broadcom’s Spectrometers:
- Pharmaceuticals: For quality control and compliance assurance.
- Food and Beverage: Ensuring safety and consistency on production lines.
- Environmental Monitoring: Detecting pollutants in air and water with real-time data.
- Semiconductors: For endpoint detection and inline process control.
- Medical: Integrated into handheld, non-invasive diagnostic tools.
Whether integrated into portable devices or used in fixed process control systems, Broadcom’s spectrometers are versatile, reliable, and precise.
A Customised Approach
Broadcom understands that each application has unique requirements. That’s why they offer custom wavelength configurations, housing designs, communication protocols, and other OEM-specific features. Their development team is on hand to ensure each solution is delivered on time and seamlessly integrated.
Why Choose Broadcom?
Broadcom combines cutting-edge technology with proven industrial reliability. Every unit is tested extensively to ensure stability and accuracy over time. With the backing of a global technology leader and the support of regional partners such as Mountain Photonics and Photonic Solutions, customers receive responsive, localised support combined with world-class engineering.
Whether you are looking to evaluate a sample unit or begin a larger project, Broadcom offers tailored support, ensuring that your spectroscopy solution fits your exact requirements, now and in the future.
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
During the Q&A session of our webinar, several common queries were addressed:
- Spectrometer Use in Environmental CMS Applications: Broadcom can support ranges down to 200 nm. Spectrometer configuration can be tailored based on required resolution and sensitivity.
- Software and Embedded Systems: Open protocols and SDKs support a wide range of platforms. Specific GitHub integration queries can be addressed on request.
- Raman Spectroscopy: Broadcom works with OEMs to deliver custom spectrometers optimised for Raman applications, often focusing on tailored wavelength ranges and resolution.
- Multi-Spectrometer Control: The Wave software supports multiple units simultaneously. Custom software integrations can do the same using the SDK.
- Recalibration Requirements: None. Broadcom’s devices are fully calibrated at the factory and require no recalibration during their lifetime, thanks to their rugged design and lack of moving parts.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re interested in evaluating a Broadcom spectrometer, or if you’d like to discuss your application in detail, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Photonic Solutions’ team of experts. We’re here to help you find the perfect spectroscopy solution—tailored to your needs.
Contact us today and experience the power of smart spectroscopy.
