ABSTRACT
This chapter will attempt to cover the major technological advancements related to micro-optical electromechanical systems (MOEMS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy that have occurred since the turn of the 21st century.
While most scientists today, if not all, are familiar with the acronym for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), there is still a surprising number who are unfamiliar with the acronym “MOEMS”.
As a spectroscopist, it is important to understand that a MOEMS spectrometer is no different than a traditional spectrometer. Specifically, each of the technologies reviewed within this chapter utilizes a source, a monochromator, and a detector in their construction. While there have been significant advancements with respect to both NIR sources and detectors within the past two decades, each of the seven 21st-century innovations reviewed below is a result of advancements within the monochromator.
What follows are a brief history and review of NIR innovations to date, a review of MOEMS with an eye on NIR advancements, and a summary of the major technological developments that have occurred since the year 2000.
