LED light source enables mobile spectroscopy

Some of the biggest advances in the food industry are being made possible by technological innovations such as near-infrared spectroscopy, which can identify certain compounds like fat, sugar, water, and proteins in food, leading to information about calorie content, freshness, and quality of food that can help consumers make better choices. Traditional spectrometers use conventional halogen light sources. However, LEDs offer a better alternative because of their high efficiency, stability, and longevity, and because they can produce a broad spectrum with uniform intensity. Osram has developed two specialized near-IR broadband emitters, SFH 4736 and SFH 4776, that are targeted for spectroscopy applications.