MicroNIR Spectrometers

MicroNIR spectrometers are used for rapid, non-destructive material analysis across multiple industries, including pharmaceutical raw material identification, food and feed quality testing, agricultural product characterization, chemical composition analysis, and security or forensic screening. They allow quality control and process monitoring to move out of the central lab and into the field, factory floor, or production line, enabling faster decisions without sending samples out for testing.

MicroNIR Handheld products, such as the OnSite-W, are portable, battery-powered analyzers designed for point-of-use testing in the field or at incoming goods inspection, with wireless connectivity to a tablet, PC or mobile device. MicroNIR Process products, such as the PAT-U and PAT-W series, are designed to integrate directly with manufacturing process equipment for continuous, real-time monitoring of parameters like blend homogeneity, content uniformity, and moisture content in regulated GMP environments.

VIAVI MicroNIR spectrometers are built on proprietary Linear Variable Filter (LVF) technology, which was originally developed for NASA interplanetary spacecraft instrumentation, including a version used in the New Horizons Pluto mission. LVF technology uses a continuously variable optical filter rather than moving gratings or mirrors, resulting in a spectrometer with no moving parts. This design improves long-term reliability, reduces size and cost, and enables the rugged, field-ready form factor that distinguishes MicroNIR from traditional benchtop NIR instruments.

MicroNIR handheld spectrometers, such as the OnSite-W, are built for demanding field and factory conditions. The OnSite-W carries IP65 and IP67 ratings for protection against dust and water ingress, along with a MIL-PRF-28800F Class 2 shock and vibration rating. Combined with the absence of moving parts in the underlying LVF optical design, this makes MicroNIR instruments suitable for outdoor agricultural use, manufacturing floors, loading docks, and other harsh operating environments.

MicroNIR spectrometers typically operate across a 950 to 1650 nanometer near-infrared spectral range, which is well suited for identifying and quantifying organic materials based on their molecular vibrational absorption characteristics. This range supports common applications including raw material identification, moisture and fat content analysis in food products, and active ingredient verification in pharmaceutical materials.