Miniature spectrometer

Abstract

The invention relates to a micro spectrometer, which comprises a light source assembly for emitting at least two light wavelengths, an optical element for changing the direction of a light path, and a detector for detecting a light signal, and is characterized by further comprising an attenuation device positioned between the detector and the optical element, the attenuation device is used for attenuating the light with the specified wavelength guided out by the optical element at the specified attenuation rate and then detecting the light through the detector. The micro spectrometer can solve the technical problem of unstable detection signals caused by unstable light source power in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical detection technology, and in particular to a miniature spectrometer. Background Art

[0002] A spectrometer is an instrument used to obtain information about the wavelength of light. It can characterize the characteristic spectrum of a substance and analyze the composition and structure of the material. It is mainly used in molecular spectral analysis fields such as fluorescence, UV-visible, and Raman analysis.

[0003] Spectrometers are divided into dispersion type, filter type and interference type according to the principle of spectroscopy. Principle of dispersion type spectrometer: using the dispersion phenomenon of light to decompose composite light into monochromatic light of different wavelengths. Common dispersion elements include prisms and gratings. Principle of filter type spectrometer: using the selective transmittance of the filter to only allow light of a specific wavelength to pass. The filter can be a bandpass filter, a narrowband filter or a multilayer film filter. Principle of interference type spectrometer: using the interference phenomenon of light to determine the wavelength distribution of light by measuring the changes in interference fringes.

[0004] The characteristics of the micro-spectrometer are that it is small, portable and suitable for field and laboratory use. Its structure includes: a laser that provides a stable light source, a slit that controls the incident light beam of the spectrometer, an optical element for changing the direction of the light beam, a detector for detecting light intensity, and a signal processing unit for processing the signal of the detector and outputting or displaying it.

[0005] However, the above-mentioned micro-spectrometer has fatal defects in the detection of ultra-sensitive materials or highly sensitive materials. The main defect is that the unstable power of the laser light source leads to unstable detection signals, which in turn affects the signal-to-noise ratio. For example, when taking material signals for reaction detection signal change analysis, the power stability of the laser excitation light source interferes with the signal change of the ultra-sensitive detection, which seriously affects the signal-to-noise ratio and leads to a decrease in detection accuracy. Figure 1 As shown, the excitation light intensity at 980nm is much stronger than the detection signal and the intensity of the change at 500nm, which is manifested as signal overexposure in the spectrometer. Summary of the invention

[0006] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a miniature spectrometer, which solves the technical problem of unstable detection signals caused by unstable light source power in the prior art.

[0008] (II) Technical solution

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the main technical solutions adopted by the present invention include:

[0010] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a miniature spectrometer, comprising: a light source assembly having at least two light wavelengths, an optical element for changing the direction of an optical path, a detector for detecting light signals, and also comprising: an attenuation device, wherein the attenuation device is located between the detector and the optical element, and is used to attenuate light of a specified wavelength derived from the optical element at a specified attenuation rate via the attenuation device and then detect the light through the detector.

[0011] Optionally, the micro-spectrometer is used for detecting ultra-sensitive / high-sensitive materials, and the attenuation device is used for attenuating the intensity of the 980nm excitation light, and the attenuation rate is 1 / 5.

[0012] Optionally, the attenuation device includes: at least one attenuation plate and a movable base, the attenuation plate is fixed on the movable base, one end of the movable base is fixed with the attenuation plate, and the other end extends out of the shell of the miniature spectrometer, and a lateral moving groove is provided on the shell. During measurement, the shell moves laterally at a distance parallel to the detector to attenuate the intensity of the excitation light.

[0013] Optionally, the attenuation device includes: at least one attenuation plate and a movable base, the attenuation plate is fixed on the movable base, one end of the movable base is fixed with the attenuation plate, and the other end extends out of the shell of the miniature spectrometer, and the shell is provided with a transverse moving groove and a longitudinal moving groove. During measurement, the attenuated excitation light intensity is laterally moved at a distance parallel to the detector, or the attenuation light is moved at a longitudinal distance of the detector to adjust the longitudinal distance between the attenuation plate and the detector.

[0014] Optionally, when the attenuation device includes more than two attenuation sheets, the distance between adjacent attenuation sheets is adjusted according to the attenuation ratio;

[0015] or,

[0016] The attenuation device comprises: an attenuation plate and a filter, so that the wavelength signal intensity of the attenuated excitation light matches the wavelength signal intensity of the detection area.

[0017] Optionally, the attenuation device is located in the reference light path of the micro-spectrometer, and the attenuation device is located in front of the detector, so that the light to be entered into the detector enters the detector after passing through the attenuation device;

[0018] Alternatively, the attenuation device is located between any two optical elements in the reference optical path optical elements, and attenuates the intensity of the optical signal on the optical path without changing the direction of the original optical path.

[0019] Optionally, the light source assembly, optical element, detector, and attenuation device are integrated in a housing of the miniature spectrometer, and the attenuation device is located in a reference light path;

[0020] Alternatively, the optical element, the detector, and the attenuation device are integrated in a housing of the miniature spectrometer, and the reference light generated by the light source assembly enters the housing and then enters the detector via the attenuation device.

[0021] Optionally, the attenuation ratio of the attenuation device is P, where P is less than or equal to M and greater than M / 2:

[0022]

[0023] in, is the rounding symbol, λ 参考 is the wavelength of the excitation light in the reference light path, λ 检测 To detect the wavelength of the light source in the optical path.

[0024] (III) Beneficial effects

[0025] In the micro-spectrometer of the present invention, the detection optical path and the reference optical path are implemented in the same optical path system by adjusting the optical path of the micro-spectrometer, and at the same time, an attenuation device is added to the reference optical path, so that the signal intensity of the excitation light of the reference optical path is reduced. At this time, there is no need to make an additional optical path for the reference optical path. It can realize the reference optical path at a low cost, and at the same time avoid various inconsistencies between the two sets of optical paths, and realize more accurate detection. That is, the purpose of attenuation of the reference optical path in the same optical path system is achieved.

[0026] In the embodiment of the present invention, the reference wavelength of the reference optical path can be selected according to the actual situation, and an attenuation device is added to the front end of the detector so that the wavelength signal intensity detected by the reference optical path matches the wavelength signal intensity detected by the detection optical path, and there is no exposure defect in the prior art. The above scheme not only realizes the existence of a reference optical path in the same system, but also realizes that the cost of setting up a separate reference optical path is not increased.

[0027] In the specific implementation process, a groove structure can be set in the reference light path of the micro-spectrometer to fix the attenuation device, which saves space and ensures the detection accuracy of the micro-spectrometer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a spectrum for ultra-sensitive detection of a specified material using a micro optical spectrometer in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a micro-spectrometer provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a micro-spectrometer provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4It is a schematic diagram of the spectrum of ultra-sensitive detection of a specified material using the micro-spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 10. Detector / CCD;

[0034] 11. Grating;

[0035] 12. The first reflector;

[0036] 13. A second reflector;

[0037] 14. Entrance slit;

[0038] 15. Attenuation film;

[0039] 16. Collimation element;

[0040] 17. Focusing element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In order to better explain the present invention and facilitate understanding, the present invention is described in detail below through specific implementation modes in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of molecular interaction analysis, and specifically, to adjusting the internal structure of a micro-spectrometer to observe the fluctuation of the intensity of an excitation light source in real time, and then to ratio the signal received by the spectrometer with the light source signal to obtain the result intensity or displacement, thereby eliminating the situation where the signal-to-noise ratio is reduced due to the instability of the light source.

[0043] Specifically, in one embodiment, the micro-spectrometer includes: a light source component that emits at least two light wavelengths, an optical element (such as Figure 2 The grating 11, the first reflector 12, the second reflector 13 shown in FIG. 1 , and the detector for detecting the optical signal (such as Figure 2 The detector 10 shown in FIG. 1 further includes: an attenuation device (such as Figure 2 The attenuation plate 15 shown in the figure) is located between the detector and the optical element, and is used to attenuate the light of a specified wavelength output from the optical element through the attenuation device at a specified attenuation rate and then detect it through the detector.

[0044] The attenuation device of this embodiment is usually located in a light path as a reference light path emitted by a light source component, and attenuates the intensity of the light signal of the reference light path before the detector detects the signal. For example, it can be located in the light path between optical elements, or it can be located after the optical element and in the light path at the front end of the detector. This embodiment does not limit the specific position of the attenuation device, and it can be set according to actual needs, as long as it can achieve the purpose of attenuating the intensity of the light signal of the reference light path.

[0045] In practical applications, the intensity of the light signal in the reference light path after attenuation is substantially consistent with, or matches, the intensity of the light signal in the detection area, thereby solving the exposure defects existing in the prior art.

[0046] In this embodiment, the attenuation ratio of the attenuation device may be P, where P is less than or equal to M and greater than M / 2:

[0047]

[0048] in, is the rounding symbol, λ 参考 is the wavelength of the excitation light in the reference light path, λ 检测 To detect the wavelength of the light source in the optical path.

[0049] In practice, a suitable attenuation plate or filter can be selected as the structure of the attenuation device according to the value of P.

[0050] In this embodiment, the attenuation and reference optical paths and the detection optical paths are located in the same system and are implemented with the aid of the same optical element, which reduces costs while not introducing additional noise that would cause inaccurate signal detection, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection results.

[0051] For example, the micro-spectrometer is used for detecting ultra-sensitive / high-sensitive materials, and the attenuation device is used to attenuate the intensity of the 980nm excitation light, with an attenuation rate of 1 / 5. An attenuation plate / filter is installed at the front end of the 980 area of ​​the spectrometer sensor to reduce the 980 signal so that it is basically consistent with the initial detection signal intensity of the detection light path.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, after adding an attenuation device, i.e., a device for attenuating the excitation light signal (such as an attenuation plate), the excitation light signal is no longer overexposed and is equivalent to the detection signal value. Therefore, the current excitation light signal can be used as a reference signal to actually reflect the actual equivalent of the current detection signal excitation light, and then the detection signal value is ratioed to the excitation light signal value to be used as the actual detection signal. This signal perfectly avoids the influence of the power stability of the light source on the original signal of ultra-sensitive detection (such as small molecule detection, etc.). And it is better than other original differential realization methods to remove external interference.

[0053] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, its optical components and Figure 2 The optical elements shown in the figure are different, and the optical elements include: a collimating element 16, a focusing element 17, and a grating 11; the light source enters the collimating element 16 through the incident slit 14 for collimation, and then enters the focusing element 17 through the grating 11. The light of the specified wavelength passing through the focusing element 17 is attenuated by the attenuation plate 15 and then enters the detector, and the light of another wavelength directly enters the detector 10, and then the detector 10 outputs as shown in Figure 4 The detection results shown have effectively solved the defect that the strong wavelength of the excitation light in the reference light path leads to detection exposure.

[0054] In a specific implementation, the attenuation device includes: at least one attenuation plate and a movable base, the attenuation plate is fixed on the movable base, one end of the movable base is fixed with the attenuation plate, and the other end extends out of the shell of the miniature spectrometer, and a lateral moving groove is provided on the shell. During measurement, the shell moves laterally at a distance parallel to the detector to effectively attenuate the intensity of the excitation light.

[0055] In another possible implementation, the attenuation device includes: at least one attenuation plate and a movable base, the attenuation plate is fixed on the movable base, one end of the movable base fixes the attenuation plate, and the other end extends out of the shell of the miniature spectrometer, and the shell is provided with a transverse moving groove and a longitudinal moving groove. During measurement, the shell is laterally moved at a distance parallel to the detector to effectively attenuate the intensity of the excitation light, or longitudinally moved to adjust the longitudinal distance between the attenuation plate and the detector.

[0056] The above structures are not limited in this embodiment. In practical applications, the micro-spectrometer can be customized, and an attenuation device for attenuating the signal is directly installed at the front end of the 900nm to 1100nm receiving position of the internal sensor (the example is 900-1100, subject to the actual reference light source). The attenuation device includes but is not limited to the use of attenuation plates, filters, etc. for reducing optical signal devices. Figure 2 As shown, the attenuation device covers the sensor range of approximately 900nm to 1100nm.

[0057] Based on the micro-spectrometer of this embodiment, when using the RSA method for molecular interaction detection, there are mainly two types of signals obtained by the spectrometer, one is the laser excitation light source signal at 980nm, and the other is the emission signal of the material at 500nm. Usually, only the material signal is used to reflect the change of the detection signal. However, when performing high-sensitivity or ultra-sensitive detection, the power of the laser excitation light source can be effectively stabilized with the help of an attenuation device, reducing the interference of the signal change amount of ultra-sensitive detection, reducing the signal-to-noise ratio, and improving the detection accuracy.

[0058] It is understandable that when the attenuation device includes more than two attenuation sheets, the distance between adjacent attenuation sheets is adjusted according to the attenuation ratio;

[0059] Alternatively, the attenuation device may include: an attenuation plate and a filter, so that the wavelength signal intensity of the attenuated excitation light matches the wavelength signal intensity of the detection area.

[0060] Typically, the attenuation device is located in the reference light path of the micro-spectrometer, and the attenuation device is located in front of the detector, so that the light to be entered into the detector enters the detector after passing through the attenuation device;

[0061] In practical applications, the attenuation device may also be located between any two optical elements in the reference optical path optical elements, and attenuates the intensity of the optical signal on the optical path without changing the original optical path direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, the light source assembly, optical element, detector, and attenuation device are integrated in the housing of the miniature spectrometer, and the attenuation device is located in the reference light path;

[0063] Alternatively, the optical element, the detector, and the attenuation device are integrated in the housing of the micro-spectrometer, and the reference light generated by the light source assembly enters the housing and then enters the detector via the attenuation device. In this way, in this embodiment, only an attenuation device is added to simply and reliably realize the unification of the detection optical path and the reference optical path in one system, thus solving the defect that the reference optical path is located outside the system in the prior art.

[0064] The micro-spectrometer of this embodiment can read the optical power intensity of the excitation light in real time to achieve more accurate detection. In the process of installing the attenuation device, the support device can be installed separately on the reference optical path of the micro-spectrometer according to the actual situation, or the installation groove can be processed by a slotting process in the original structure of the micro-spectrometer to achieve installation.

[0065] In this embodiment, the wavelength of light in the reference light path is 980nm as an example. In actual applications, there is no limit to one reference light source. For example, one can also be installed at the 300nm position to achieve a multi-reference effect. The detection sample (such as Raman detection or quantum dot material) is affected by other factors besides the excitation light, such as the better absorption effect of short wavelengths than long wavelengths, and the ratio of various types of light output. During detection, the sample is also affected by the self-luminescence after being excited. In this way, a 300nm attenuation device is installed to observe the influence of the self-luminescence in real time.

[0066] In addition, during Raman detection, there are multi-wavelength signals. For example, if the detected scattering signal of a different wavelength is too low, in addition to installing an attenuation device in the excitation area, an attenuation device is also installed in other non-detection areas where the intensity is greater than the detection signal to evaluate the impact of the material's own state.

[0067] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems or computer program products. Therefore, the present invention may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0068] The present invention is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions.

[0069] It should be noted that in the claims, any reference numerals placed between brackets shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of components or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding a component does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such components. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different components and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same hardware. The use of the words first, second, third, etc., is for convenience of expression only and does not indicate any order. These words may be understood as part of the component name.

[0070] In addition, it should be noted that, in the description of this specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "embodiment", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, unless they are contradictory.

[0071] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make other changes and modifications to these embodiments after knowing the basic creative concept. Therefore, the claims should be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0072] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention should also include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A miniature spectrometer, comprising: There is a light source component with at least two light wavelengths, an optical element for changing the direction of the light path, and a detector for detecting the light signal, characterized in that it also includes: an attenuation device, which is located between the detector and the optical element and is used to attenuate the light of a specified wavelength derived from the optical element through the attenuation device at a specified attenuation rate and then detect it through the detector.

2. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The micro-spectrometer is used for detecting ultra-sensitive / high-sensitive materials, and the attenuation device is used for attenuating the intensity of the 980nm excitation light, with an attenuation rate of 1 / 5.

3. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The attenuation device includes: at least one attenuation plate and a movable base, the attenuation plate is fixed on the movable base, one end of the movable base fixes the attenuation plate, and the other end extends out of the shell of the miniature spectrometer, and a lateral movement groove is provided on the shell. During measurement, the shell moves lateraly at a distance parallel to the detector to attenuate the intensity of the excitation light.

4. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The attenuation device includes: at least one attenuation plate and a movable base, the attenuation plate is fixed on the movable base, one end of the movable base is fixed with the attenuation plate, and the other end extends out of the shell of the miniature spectrometer, and the shell is provided with a transverse moving groove and a longitudinal moving groove. During measurement, the attenuated excitation light intensity is laterally moved at a distance parallel to the detector, or the attenuation plate is moved at a longitudinal distance of the detector to adjust the longitudinal distance between the attenuation plate and the detector.

5. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the attenuation device includes more than two attenuation sheets, the distance between adjacent attenuation sheets is adjusted according to the attenuation ratio; or, The attenuation device comprises: an attenuation plate and a filter, so that the wavelength signal intensity of the attenuated excitation light matches the wavelength signal intensity of the detection area.

6. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The attenuation device is located in the reference light path of the micro-spectrometer, and the attenuation device is located in front of the detector, so that the light to be entered into the detector enters the detector after passing through the attenuation device; Alternatively, the attenuation device is located between any two optical elements in the reference optical path optical elements, and attenuates the intensity of the optical signal on the optical path without changing the direction of the original optical path.

7. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source assembly, optical element, detector, and attenuation device are integrated in the housing of the miniature spectrometer, and the attenuation device is located in the reference light path; Alternatively, the optical element, the detector, and the attenuation device are integrated in a housing of the miniature spectrometer, and the reference light generated by the light source assembly enters the housing and then enters the detector via the attenuation device.

8. The micro-spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The attenuation ratio of the attenuation device is P, where P is less than or equal to M and greater than M / 2: in, is the rounding symbol, λ 参考 is the wavelength of the excitation light in the reference light path, λ 检测 To detect the wavelength of the light source in the optical path.

Images