1. Design of a programmable spectrometer with exploration of various different design approaches [Completion Date: 6 months after project start] 2. Algorithm for optical system operation and analyze the performance of the optical design with computer-aid tools [Completion Date: 9 months after project start] 3. An optical setup with a programmable spectral range in 400-2000 cm-1 & resolution of 4 cm-1 [Completion Date: 9 months after project start] 4. Multivariate analysis algorithm for chemical detection from Raman spectrum [Completion Date: 9 months after project start] 5. Verification of the specification of the key components in the optical system and analysis algorithm before prototyping the final hardware for multi-pesticides detection including Chlorpyrifos, Malathion and Carbofuran with an alarm threshold of 10 ppm. [Completion Date: 12 months after project start] 6. A complete prototype of embedded optical system with a programmable spectral range in 200-3600 cm-1 & resolution of 2 cm-1 and control & analysis algorithm, ready for field test [Completion Date: 15 months after project start] 7. Verification of the performance of ASTRI’s prototype on the multi-pesticide measurement on food including Chlorpyrifos, Malathion and Carbofuran with an alarm threshold of 10 ppm [Completion Date: 18 months after project start] 8. CS deliverable for Customer – Design and prototyping of optical sensor and application software for water quality screening [Completion Date: 8 months after project start]
Due to higher standard and consumer expectation on food safety & quality (FSQ) as well as narrower profit margin of the food manufactures, a compact food sensor is desirable for on-site screening and food processing control. Raman spectroscopy can directly determine the chemical fingerprints of the sample without (or with minimized) pre-treatment and has been applied in many FSQ applications such as pesticides residues screening and wine fermentation monitoring. However, a bulky and expensive Raman system is needed for fulfilling the requirements of spectral range, fine resolution and high optical throughput. Here, we propose a portable and affordable Raman system for FSQ applications using various optical design such as spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) and multi light sources approaches. SHS is based on interference which provides higher throughput and better resolution than disperse-type spectrometer. In additional to the traditional SHS design, various optical designs, such as reflective SHS and multi light sources using on-chip integration, will also be explored for widening & tuning the spectral range of the system and reducing the cost to allow various FSQ applications requirement.