World’s smallest spectrometer delivers full scan under one volt

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed the world’s smallest spectrometer prototype, measuring just a few square millimeters, small enough to be integrated into smartphones or even function as a single pixel in sensor arrays. This compact device can detect light across a broad spectrum, from ultraviolet to near-infrared, by using a specially designed photodetector whose sensitivity varies with applied voltage. By sweeping voltages under one volt and recording the photodetector’s responses, the system computationally reconstructs the full light spectrum reflected or transmitted by materials. The process is rapid, occurring in under a millisecond, and avoids the need for complex optics or high-voltage inputs that have traditionally hindered miniaturization. In laboratory tests, the prototype demonstrated accuracy and sensitivity comparable to conventional commercial spectrometers and photodetectors. Its low voltage operation, fast response, and broad spectral sensitivity mark a significant advancement toward consumer-level spectroscopy. The research team envisions this technology enabling new applications by embedding spect