Mid-infrared (Mid-IR) and Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrometers are critical analytical tools used to characterize materials by measuring the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with molecular bonds. While NIR spectroscopy offers high sample penetration, making it ideal for bulk and overtone/combination band analysis, Mid-IR spectroscopy provides a definitive “chemical fingerprint” through the detection of fundamental vibrational modes. Axiom Optics’ spectroscopy offering covers the high-resolution data acquisition typical of laboratory instruments and the robust design required for continuous industrial deployment, converting complex spectral data into actionable insights for real-time process analytical technology. 

Mid-IR and NIR Application Types

• Food Quality & Safety – food ripeness & grading: measuring real time analysis of sugar content and acidity in whole fruits; analyzing protein, moisture, and oil in wheat or corn during harvest; monitoring fat and protein levels in raw milk, or fat to lean ratios in meat.
• Pharma & Biopharmaceutical – Analyzing residual moisture in biomedical vials; tracking glucose, lactate, and biomass levels in bioreactors.
• Material ID – allows manufacturers to confirm a material’s identity through plastic or glass containers 
• Authentication & Forensics – counterfeit detection in luxury goods, checks, ID forms, fake pharmaceuticals; 
• Art & Archeology – non-invasive analysis of pigments and binders in historical paintings or textiles to discover age and authenticity
• Agriculture – assessing soil carbon and nitrogen to maximize crop yields and field productivity

MID-IR NLIR 

The Mid-IR spectrometers and detectors offered by Axiom Optics use sum-frequency generation (SFG) upconversion, changing incoming mid-infrared light to near-visible light. This nonlinear optical process, often using LiNbO3 crystals, requires a sufficiently high-intensity electrical field. Historically, this high-intensity laser requirement made upconversion too costly or inefficient for commercial use. However, our Mid-IR spectroscopy products, based on years of expertise, offer unique, market-leading performance in noise, speed, sensitivity, and reliability.

Noise

Upconversion acts as a natural filter, ignoring ambient thermal noise and shifting the signal to a wavelength where room-temperature interference is negligible. This allows for high-sensitivity detection without the bulky, expensive cryogenic cooling required by traditional mid-IR sensors.

Efficiency

While efficiency depends on laser power and spectral range, narrower bandwidths can achieve conversion rates exceeding 10%. Even in wideband applications with lower efficiency, the system’s ultra-low noise floor consistently outperforms standard mid-IR detector alternatives.

Mid IR NLIR products:

• Midwave Spectrometer | 2.0-5.0 micron
• Single-Wavelength Detectors
• Wavelength Conversion Module
• Thermal Infrared Light Sources

D-vision SWIR spectrometer

The d-vision SWIR spectrometer is specifically engineered for short-wave infrared (SWIR) analysis, offering sensitivity from 500 to 1700 nm. This capability enables the characterization of chemical and material properties based on their spectral signatures, properties invisible to standard cameras, providing a crucial analytical advantage for both laboratory research and industrial process monitoring technology.

 At its core, the d-vision utilizes high-performance InGaAs sensor technology, optimized for minimal noise and high dynamic range. Diverging from conventional, large-format laboratory instrumentation, the d-vision is designed with a compact and ruggedized footprint. This makes it easy to integrate in laboratory settings or for portable field spectroscopy applications. Furthermore, it features the high-speed readout rates for monitoring rapid kinetic processes without compromising spectral resolution.