How Advanced Spectroscopy is Revolutionizing Modern Technology: From Smartphones to Solar Cells

15 November 2025 - ~9 min read

Over the last decade, I have used FTIR, Raman, UV‑Vis, and ultrafast techniques to study molecules, materials, and microsolvation from different angles. The more time spent with these instruments, the clearer it becomes that spectroscopy quietly underpins much of modern technology.

This post highlights a few domains where spectroscopic methods already shape everyday devices and industrial processes.

Spectroscopy inside your smartphone

Smartphones embody an invisible collection of spectroscopic insights and quality controls.

Examples include:

• Display development and characterization - OLED and micro‑LED displays are optimized using emission spectra, quantum efficiency, and stability measurements across wavelengths. Time‑resolved photoluminescence helps identify non‑radiative loss channels and guides material improvements.
• Camera and color calibration - Spectral response curves of sensors and lenses are characterized to ensure accurate color reproduction across lighting conditions. Infrared cut‑off filters and near‑IR sensitivity are tuned based on measured spectral transmission.
• Embedded sensors and emerging features - Some devices and prototypes integrate near‑IR, depth, or simple spectroscopic elements for health, authentication, or environment sensing.

The result is a pipeline where spectroscopic measurements guide everything from material selection to mass‑production quality assurance.

Solar cells and the rise of perovskites

Solar energy is one of the clearest examples of spectroscopy driving rapid technological progress.

In 2025:

• Perovskite solar cells surpassed 26% certified power conversion efficiency in single‑junction laboratory devices, pushing close to crystalline silicon levels.
• Time‑resolved absorption and photoluminescence measurements reveal carrier lifetimes, defect states, and recombination pathways that limit performance.
• Ultrafast spectroscopies probe charge separation and transfer at interfaces, informing strategies for stability and tandem architectures.

These measurements feed directly into device modeling and materials design, making spectroscopy a central engine of innovation rather than a purely diagnostic add‑on.

Pharmaceuticals and real-time quality control

Pharmaceutical development and manufacturing rely heavily on non‑destructive spectroscopic techniques.

Common uses include:

• Identification and polymorph screening - Raman and IR spectra differentiate polymorphs, hydrates, and co‑crystals that may share the same chemical formula but differ in bioavailability and stability. These methods also detect contaminants and degradation products.
• Process analytical technology (PAT) - Inline NIR and Raman probes monitor concentration, crystallization, and mixing in real time during manufacturing. This enables closed‑loop control and reduces batch failures and waste.
• Stability and shelf-life studies - Spectroscopic signatures track subtle changes in formulations under stress conditions (temperature, humidity, light).

The trend is clear: spectroscopy is moving from standalone lab work into integrated, automated monitoring in production environments.

Why this matters for a physicist moving into industry

Working deeply with spectroscopic tools teaches more than just how to interpret peaks; it trains a way of thinking about materials, processes, and diagnostics.

For a physicist transitioning into industry:

• Knowledge of how to design, automate, and interpret spectroscopic experiments maps directly onto roles in materials R&D, quality engineering, and process optimization.
• Experience with data‑heavy techniques, such as ultrafast spectroscopy and multidimensional spectroscopy, provides a natural bridge into AI‑assisted analysis, anomaly detection, and digital twin modeling.

Spectroscopy will continue to shape technologies that appear "magical" to users, but for those of us behind the scenes, it remains a precise, quantitative lens on how devices actually work.