Patent ID: 7286233

Claim:
A spectrophotometer, comprising: a light source; separator means for separating the light beam coming from the source into different components corresponding to different wavelengths; selector means for selecting one or more of the components of the light beam that are generated by said separator means; sensor means for receiving the component selected by said selector means and for emitting at output electrical signals indicating the wavelength of the radiation received; wherein said separator means are formed by a plurality of optical micro-filters, which can select different wavelengths; and said selector means comprise a plurality of micro-shutters, that can be actuated independently of one another, to which the aforesaid optical filters are respectively associated, so that the light beam is not split into the different wavelengths upstream of the selector means; said spectrophometer being such that: said micro-shutters are electrostatic micro-shutters; said electrostatic microshutters comprise: a common substrate; an electrically conductive layer functioning as a common electrode, applied on one face of the substrate; an insulating layer set on top of the common electrode; and a plurality of separate thin-film electrodes, each having one end anchored to the insulating layer and the remaining part mobile between a condition of rest, in which the electrode leaves free the passage of the light (L) through the substrate and an activated condition where it is adherent to the substrate, in which the passage of the light is obstructed; said filters are arranged within the aforesaid substrate; said sensor means comprise a single sensor formed by a pyro-electric sensor or a photodiode; and that there are provided guide means for guiding the radiation separated by said micro-filters towards said single sensor.