Raman spectrometer to taste ten types of beer, tell them apart

Norwood, MA--Analog Devices (ADI) is teaming up with Wasatch Photonics (Logan, UT) at Electronica 2012 (November 13-16; Munich, Germany) to stage a “Name That Beer” demonstration using a Wasatch Photonics Raman spectrometer. Incorporating ADI’s A/D converter technology, the compact Raman laser spectrometer will distinguish from among ten brands of German beer by reading the signature spectrum of each. The demonstration will be held at the Analog Devices booth (Hall A4 Stand 159). The Wasatch Photonics Stroker 785L combines an ƒ/1.3 spectrometer using a free-space volume phase holographic (VPH) grating, a stabilized 785 nm laser, and a scientific CCD camera that integrates ADI’s precision A/D converter technology.

“The Stroker 785L can identify substances by optically probing the inherent molecular vibrational fingerprints through measurement of the laser-induced amplitude and frequency shift of the scattered light,” says Scott Norton, vice president of engineering at Wasatch Photonics. "This compact system can be used in pharmaceutical, narcotic, and explosives identification in real time and from a safe distance."

No word yet on whether the ten types of beer will be available directly to attendees for the more-traditional approach to distinguishing between brands of German beer.