Hamamatsu C13272-01 MEMS-Fabry–Pérot Interferometer Near-Infrared Spectral Detector

Overview

The Hamamatsu C13272-01 is a monolithic, miniature near-infrared (NIR) spectral detector engineered around a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based Fabry–Pérot interferometer (FPI). Unlike dispersive spectrometers requiring gratings or prisms, this device implements tunable interference filtering at the chip level—enabling wavelength-selective detection through precise electrostatic actuation of a movable top mirror over a fixed bottom mirror. The resulting optical cavity defines narrowband transmission peaks across the 1550–1850 nm range with sub-nanometer mechanical tuning resolution. Coupled directly to a single-pixel InGaAs PIN photodiode, the module delivers analog photocurrent output proportional to incident intensity at each selected wavelength. Its hermetically sealed TO-5 metal-can package ensures long-term stability in ambient and moderately humid environments—critical for field-deployable or embedded OEM instrumentation where thermal drift and moisture-induced spectral shift must be minimized.

Key Features

• Integrated MEMS-FPI tunable filter with electrostatic actuation mechanism, enabling programmable spectral acquisition without moving external optics
• Monolithically bonded InGaAs PIN photodiode optimized for high quantum efficiency (>70%) across 1550–1850 nm
• Compact TO-5 metal-can package (Ø9.0 mm × 4.5 mm height), compatible with standard PCB mounting and automated SMT assembly
• Onboard NTC thermistor (10 kΩ nominal at 25 °C) for real-time temperature compensation—essential for maintaining wavelength calibration stability over −10 °C to +60 °C operating range
• Hermetic sealing meets MIL-STD-883 Method 1014.10 requirements for moisture resistance, eliminating performance degradation due to condensation or humidity cycling
• Low power consumption (<5 mW static, <15 mW during tuning), suitable for battery-powered portable analyzers and IoT edge sensors

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C13272-01 is designed for non-contact, reflectance- or transmittance-based NIR spectroscopic analysis of organic materials exhibiting characteristic absorption features in the second overtone region of C–H, O–H, and N–H bonds. It supports quantitative and qualitative assessment of polymer composition (e.g., PE/PP/PET identification), hydrocarbon chain length in fuels, moisture content in grains and forage, soluble solids in fruit juice, and CO₂/CH₄ concentration in ambient air via differential absorption spectroscopy. As an optical component—not a finished instrument—it complies with IEC 61000-4 electromagnetic immunity standards for industrial environments and carries RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU certification. Its hermetic construction satisfies ISO 9001 traceability requirements for component-level manufacturing and aligns with GLP-aligned design practices for analytical subsystems used in regulated QA/QC workflows.

Software & Data Management

Hamamatsu provides reference firmware libraries (C/C++ and Python) supporting SPI or I²C interface protocols for host MCU integration. These include low-level register mapping for FPI voltage ramp control, thermistor ADC readout, and photodiode signal conditioning. Users implement custom scanning sequences—e.g., linear voltage sweeps across the FPI’s actuation range—to acquire full spectra (typically 128–512 points per scan). Raw data are exported as calibrated intensity-vs-wavelength vectors; spectral calibration coefficients (wavelength = f(voltage)) are supplied in NIST-traceable format. For regulatory applications, developers may integrate timestamped spectral logs into audit-ready databases compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with appropriate system-level electronic signature and audit trail architecture.

Applications

• OEM integration into handheld NIR analyzers for agricultural commodity grading (e.g., protein/fat/moisture in soybeans, corn, or dairy powder)
• Embedded gas sensing modules for environmental monitoring networks measuring greenhouse gases in open-path or extractive sampling configurations
• Inline process analyzers in petrochemical refineries for real-time hydrocarbon fraction estimation during distillation or cracking
• Miniaturized food safety scanners verifying authenticity of edible oils or detecting adulterants in honey and wine
• Lab-on-chip platforms combining microfluidics with on-die spectral detection for point-of-care biochemical assays

FAQ

What is the spectral resolution achievable with the C13272-01?
Spectral resolution is determined by the free spectral range (FSR) and finesse of the integrated MEMS-FPI cavity. Typical full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) values fall between 12–18 nm depending on actuation voltage and temperature; users achieve effective resolution enhancement through oversampling and interpolation.
Can this detector operate without external cooling?
Yes—the InGaAs PIN diode operates uncooled within its specified temperature range. Dark current remains below 5 nA at 25 °C, enabling stable DC-coupled operation in portable devices without thermoelectric coolers.
Is factory spectral calibration provided?
Each unit ships with a unique calibration sheet listing wavelength-voltage mapping coefficients, thermistor resistance vs. temperature curve, and photodiode responsivity at three reference wavelengths (1600, 1700, and 1800 nm).
How is mechanical shock resistance validated?
The TO-5 package undergoes MIL-STD-810G Method 516.6 Shock testing (30 g, half-sine pulse, 11 ms duration) with no functional degradation observed in filter tuning linearity or photodiode dark current.
Does Hamamatsu offer evaluation kits for this detector?
Yes—Part Number C13272-EVK includes a USB-controlled driver board, GUI software for spectral acquisition, and calibrated light source for system-level validation.