Miniature spectrometer for in-line quality control and portable systems
Our spectrometer technology centers on a proprietary approach that utilizes photonic crystal scattering and a folded optical path to achieve spectral selectivity. Unlike traditional Czerny-Turner spectrometers that rely on complex internal optics like gratings and mirrors, Chromation's design features a monolithically integrated light bench created through nanofabrication. This architecture allows for a folded optical path within a fused silica wafer, resulting in a "point and shoot" device that requires no external input optics and can be manufactured using standard wafer-scale fabrication.
The resulting spectrometer is compact, currently measuring just 10×5×3 mm^3, with a roadmap to further miniaturize it to less than 1.5 mm in thickness for mobile and wearable applications. Despite its small size, the technology offers a broad spectral response covering UV, visible, and NIR ranges (275–1000+ nm) and can be adapted for deeper NIR operation by changing the detector. This versatility, combined with its surface-mount compatibility, makes it suitable for integration into diverse fields such as diagnostics, consumer electronics, and hyperspectral imaging
About Columbia University
Columbia University is a comprehensive private research university in New York City, combining an Ivy League academic profile with globally engaged scholarship and professional education. Its integration with a major hospital system through Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian enables clinical collaboration, access to diverse patient populations, and regulated studies at scale. State-of-the-art laboratories and shared core facilities across the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses support co-located industry projects, while proximity to New York’s finance, media, and healthcare ecosystems streamlines talent pipelines and pilot deployments. Industry engages via sponsored research, affiliate programs, executive education, and convenings that connect faculty expertise with corporate R&D priorities. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, and DoD, alongside New York State and philanthropic sources. Columbia Technology Ventures provides IP management, licensing, startup support, and translational funding mechanisms that lower barriers to commercialization.
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