Revolutionizing spectrometry with a portable device
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectrometry is a powerful technique used to detect free radicals and metal ions. It can help analyze oxidative stress related to aging and diseases like cancer, or study material degradation in applications such as photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries. However, conventional EPR spectrometers are massive, energy-intensive systems, consuming tens of kilowatts and costing up to 500,000 euros. "Our goal is to create a compact, portable spectrometer that operates on just a few watts of power, making it easy to transport for on-site analysis," explains Serge Gambarelli, Research Engineer at CEA-Irig and EPR spectroscopy expert.
A paradigm shift in EPR technology
Traditional EPR spectrometers rely on sweeping a magnetic field using an electromagnet while exciting the sample with a fixed-frequency electromagnetic wave. The innovation at CEA-Leti replaces the bulky electromagnet with a compact yet powerful permanent magnet.
"This new approach significantly reduces the size of the system while maintaining high performance,"
says Jean-Baptiste David, Research Engineer on the Moonshot project at CEA-Leti. The frequency of the electromagnetic wave is then adjusted using an integrated circuit developed at CEA-Leti, thus ensuring a precise and efficient analysis.
Applying RF circuit expertise to a new field
RF integrated circuits, traditionally designed for telecommunications, are being repurposed to enable this breakthrough.
"With over 15 years of expertise in frequency synthesis, we are adapting RF architectures to create a fully integrated EPR spectrometer on a single chip,"
explains Alexandre Siligaris, Senior Research Engineer and frequency synthesis expert at CEA-Leti. By integrating this technology into a compact form, CEA-Leti is transforming what was once a large laboratory instrument into a versatile, field-ready tool.
Magnetic expertise paves the way
Developing a compact yet powerful magnetic system is crucial to the success of this miniaturized spectrometer.
"Our laboratory has over a decade of experience in magnetic materials, particularly rare-earth-based magnets,"
says Céline Delafosse, Head of the Magnetic Materials and Components Laboratory at CEA-Liten.
"Typically applied in electric mobility and energy transition sectors, this expertise is now being leveraged to design the magnetic system for the micro-EPR spectrometer, demonstrating a valuable transfer of knowledge into the field of instrumentation."
Support for a miniaturized EPR spectrometry
The development of this next-generation spectrometer has been made possible through strategic funding from the Carnot Commission at CEA-Leti as well as CEA's PTC (Transversal Competence Program). Following this, the team received further funding from the Moonshot commission, highlighting the project's promising potential. The team is now implementing a two-year development phase to produce a functional prototype of the micro-EPR spectrometer.
By miniaturizing EPR spectrometry, CEA-Leti is opening the door to new applications across healthcare, materials science, and environmental monitoring. The development of a portable, low-power, and cost-effective EPR spectrometer represents a significant advancement in analytical instrumentation, making high-precision spectrometry more accessible than ever before. As research progresses toward a working prototype, this innovation is poised to redefine the way spectrometry is utilized in the field.