Light path length adjusting device of micro spectrophotometer

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical path length adjusting device of a micro spectrophotometer for measuring the optical property of light passing through a sample. The optical path length adjusting device of a spectrophotometer according to the present invention comprises: a housing; a cover arm mounted so as to be rotatable about a hinge shaft provided on one side of an upper portion of the housing; a cover arm retainer on which the free end of the cover arm rests in the closed state; a lower base irradiated with light transmitted from a lamp installed inside the housing through an optical fiber; the upper base is supported by the cover arm and is positioned above the lower base; a lower base moving device configured to vertically move the lower base relative to the upper base; the spectrograph is configured to receive the light which is irradiated on the lower base and passes through the light path through the optical fiber and analyze and display the measurement characteristics of the sample, and the opposite surfaces of the lower base and the upper base are in a non-parallel state. The light path length adjusting device of the micro spectrophotometer is simple in structure, so that high-precision absorbance measurement can be carried out in an ultra-high concentration range without precise control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a spectrophotometer for measuring the optical properties of light passing through a sample, and more specifically to a light path length adjustment device for a micro-scale spectrophotometer, which enables accurate measurement with higher reproducibility when measuring the optical properties of ultra-high concentration samples (e.g., trace amounts of nucleic acids or proteins). Background Technology

[0002] Typically, liquids, mixtures, solutions, and reaction mixtures are measured using spectrophotometers, which utilize optical techniques. These spectrophotometers measure the absorbance of a substance to obtain its concentration, purity, structure, and other properties.

[0003] However, the optical path length of traditional spectrophotometers is fixed, making it difficult to accurately measure the absorbance of samples with very high or very low concentrations. In particular, when measuring high-concentration samples, the absorbance exceeds the measurement range, making accurate analysis impossible.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, micro-volume spectrophotometers have been developed and applied, compared to traditional spectrophotometers. Micro-volume spectrophotometers can analyze very small sample volumes and, through variable optical path lengths, can accurately measure samples across a wide concentration range, from low to high concentrations.

[0005] Generally, even when using different optical path lengths for measurement, the micro spectrophotometer will display the absorbance converted to a 10mm optical path length, and by adjusting the optical path length, a wider range of absorbance measurements can be performed using the same detector.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 9,442,009 discloses a micro-volume spectrophotometer, which is described below in conjunction with... Figure 1 Describe its configuration and measurement process. Figure 1 The corresponding invention is shown in brief.

[0007] As shown in the figure, a conventional micro spectrophotometer includes: a lower arm 104 forming the upper part of a housing 110, adjacent to a main body 100 equipped with a display; and an upper arm 102 formed on one of its outer sides, thereby pivoting about a hinge between open and closed positions, for example within a 90° range. An upper sample surface 106 is formed on the upper arm 102, and a lower sample surface 108 is formed on the lower arm 104, the two facing each other. At this time, the end of an optical fiber 114 extending from the main body 100 is connected to the upper sample surface 106, and the lower sample surface 108 is illuminated by light from a lamp 112 built into the housing 110.

[0008] Meanwhile, inside the housing 110, there is a screw 118 driven by a motor 116 and a protruding extension 120. One end of the protruding extension 120 is connected to the screw, and the other end is in contact with the longitudinal center bottom surface of the upper arm 102.

[0009] Therefore, when the motor 116 is running, the screw 118 mounted on the motor drive unit will rotate, and the protruding extension 120 that cooperates with the screw 118 will move up and down, thereby causing the upper arm 102 in contact with it to rotate slightly, which in turn causes the distance between the upper sample surface 106 and the lower sample surface 108 to change.

[0010] Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 (C) shows the use of Figure 1 The spectrophotometer device in the middle measures the step-by-step process of a micro sample droplet, in which... Figure 2 (A) shows the state of dropping a sample onto the lower sample surface using a pipette. Figure 2 (B) shows that Figure 2 The upper arm of (A) rotates to the closed position, causing the sample to contact the sample surface due to surface tension, and Figure 2 (C) shows the state in which the distance between the upper and lower sample surfaces is adjusted for sample measurement in the state of (B).

[0011] like Figure 2 As shown in (A), with the upper arm 102 open, sample S is dropped onto the lower sample surface 108 of the lower arm 104, and then the upper arm 102 is switched to the closed state, as shown in (A). Figure 2 As shown in (B), the upper part of sample S is in contact with the upper sample surface 106, and due to the surface tension of liquid sample S, the central part of the sample column becomes narrower than the upper and lower parts.

[0012] exist Figure 2 In the state described above (B), the distance between the upper sample surface 106 and the lower sample surface 108 is adjusted by operating the motor 116. This is performed by operating the motor 116 to lower the protruding extension 120 as the screw 118 rotates. That is, as... Figure 2 The state of (B) is switched to Figure 2 In state (C), the distance between the upper and lower sample surfaces decreases from L1 to L2, and the width of sample S increases accordingly.

[0013] exist Figure 3 In state (C), light transmitted from lamp 112 to the lower sample surface 108 passes through sample S. The amount of light passing through sample S and reaching the upper sample surface 106 is measured, and the measurement result is displayed as absorbance on the display of body 100.

[0014] Meanwhile, absorbance (A) follows the Beer-Lambert law.

[0015]

[0016] here,

[0017] I o Incident light intensity

[0018] I t Emitted light intensity

[0019] ε: Absorption coefficient of the medium

[0020] c Concentration of the medium

[0021] L The distance light travels in a medium

[0022] As shown in the above formula, absorbance (A) is directly related to the distance (L) that light travels in the medium (i.e., the optical path). Especially in micro spectrophotometers, the difference ΔL between L1 and L2 (=|L1 - L2|) (rather than L1 and L2 themselves) is used to calculate... Figure 2 The absorbance of sample S is shown. This distance difference (ΔL) affects the accuracy of the absorbance. L1 and L2 are directly used for the calculation of absorbance.

[0023] As mentioned above, the distance control between the upper and lower sample surfaces 106 and 108 significantly affects the accuracy of absorbance. In conventional devices, the distance between the upper and lower sample surfaces is controlled by the hinge rotation of the upper arm 102 to contact the protruding extension 120, which is moved up and down by the motor 116, as previously described. However, this distance control method has the following problems.

[0024] First, the process of adjusting the upper arm height in a conventional device via a linear actuator involves a motor, a screw, and a protruding extension that contacts the upper arm. The optical fiber moves with the upper arm, which reduces measurement accuracy.

[0025] Furthermore, the gap between the motor and the screw makes it difficult to accurately control the position of the protruding extension, which may reduce position reproducibility. Therefore, the measurement accuracy will inevitably decrease due to the decrease in optical path accuracy.

[0026] The latest technological advancements in micro spectrophotometers have enabled a wider concentration measurement range. Consequently, the measurement segment covers a broader concentration range, from low to high, and the optical path configuration segment is subdivided into several steps.

[0027] Recently, there has been a growing demand for ultra-high concentration measurements with absorbance values ​​exceeding 500 Abs / cm. To achieve these multi-optical-path steps, stepper motors capable of precisely controlling the optical path length are primarily used.

[0028] Simultaneously, increasing the measurable concentration range to ultra-high concentrations requires extremely short optical paths, on the order of tens of micrometers. In such cases, even with precise control using stepper motors during sample measurement, achieving satisfactory optical path control is difficult, leading to decreased reproducibility and limiting the reliability of obtaining satisfactory measurement results. For example, in measurement segments with optical paths of tens of micrometers, sub-micrometer-level position reproducibility is required, but micro-spectrophotometers meeting these requirements have not yet been developed. Summary of the Invention

[0029] Technical issues

[0030] This invention addresses the shortcomings and problems of traditional micro-volume spectrophotometers, and aims to provide an optical path length adjustment device for a micro-volume spectrophotometer. This device has a simple structure, requires no precise control, and can perform high-precision absorbance measurements in an ultra-high concentration range.

[0031] The present invention also aims to provide an optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer, which is configured such that the relative surfaces of the upper and lower bases are in contact in a non-parallel state within the ultra-high concentration range, thereby eliminating the influence of the positional accuracy of the lower base on the optical path length, thus having high reproducibility and ensuring accurate and reliable analytical results.

[0032] Solution to the problem

[0033] The optical path length adjustment device of the micro spectrophotometer according to the present invention may include: a housing; a cover arm mounted to rotate about a hinge axis disposed on one side of the upper part of the housing; a cover arm stop, the free end of the cover arm resting on the cover arm stop in the closed state; a lower base irradiated by light transmitted from a lamp mounted inside the housing via an optical fiber; an upper base supported by the cover arm and located above the lower base; a lower base moving device configured to move the lower base vertically relative to the upper base; and a spectrometer configured to receive light irradiated on the lower base and passing through the optical path via an optical fiber, analyze and display the measurement characteristics of the sample, wherein the relative surfaces of the lower base and the upper base are in a non-parallel state.

[0034] The main technical feature of this invention is that, unlike traditional spectrophotometers, the opposing surfaces of the upper base (supported by the cover arm) and the opposing surface of the lower base (located vertically below the opposing surface of the upper base and configured to adjust the optical path length by the vertical movement of the lower base moving device) are not parallel to each other. That is, a constant angle is maintained between the opposing surfaces of the two bases.

[0035] Another technical feature of the present invention is that the relative surface of the lower base moves toward the upper base and contacts the relative surface of the upper base at a predetermined angle, thereby reproducing the optical path length within a preset ultra-high concentration range.

[0036] When the upper and lower bases are in contact with each other, it is best to maintain an angle of 3° or less between the opposing surfaces of the two bases. In this case, the distance between the two bases (i.e., the optical path length) is about 1 mm or less, which is much shorter than the width of the beam, so that the change in light intensity with distance is negligible.

[0037] In the spectrophotometer according to the present invention, except in the ultra-high concentration range, the optical path length remains unchanged when the upper and lower bases are not in contact with each other, so the upper base remains fixed in its position and its end rests on the cover arm stop.

[0038] At the same time, within the ultra-high concentration range of the spectrophotometer according to the invention, one side of the opposite surface of the lower base moves toward the opposite surface of the upper base and contacts the opposite surface of the upper base, and this contact causes the cover arm supported on the cover arm stop to move slightly upward momentarily.

[0039] Even if the upper base moves out of its original position due to contact with the lower base, the angle between the relative surfaces formed when the two bases are in contact remains almost unchanged, so the optical path length does not change substantially.

[0040] In other words, in the micro-spectrophotometer according to the invention, the influence of positioning accuracy limitations such as gaps (which are inherent in the operation of the motor or screw constituting the lower base moving device) on the moving distance can be significantly reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, the micro-spectrophotometer according to the present invention is configured to allow adjustment of the relative surface angle when the upper base is assembled to the cover arm. Therefore, when the relative surfaces of the two bases are in contact with each other, the optical path length can be adjusted according to the angle change. At this time, the optical path length increases proportionally to the angle formed between the relative surfaces of the two bases.

[0042] Meanwhile, in the micro-spectrophotometer according to the present invention, the desired optical path length can be set using a specific standard sample. For example, when using a standard sample with an absorbance of 10 Abs / 1cm, if the absorbance is adjusted to 0.03 Abs when the opposing surfaces of the two bases are in contact with each other, the optical path length becomes 0.03 mm when the two bases are in contact with each other.

[0043] The present invention is applicable to both reflective micro-spectrophotometers and transmissive micro-spectrophotometers. The preferred angle between the opposing surfaces of the two bases of the reflective micro-spectrophotometer is 0.5° to 1.5°, while the preferred angle for the transmissive micro-spectrophotometer is 1° to 3°, which is twice the latter.

[0044] Technical effects of the invention

[0045] In the optical path length adjustment device of the micro spectrophotometer according to the present invention, due to its simple structure, it can measure absorbance in an ultra-high concentration range with high precision without the need for precise control.

[0046] This invention can precisely achieve a preset optical path length without being affected by the positional accuracy caused by the movement of the lower base due to non-parallel contact between the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases in ultra-high concentration ranges. Therefore, it is possible to achieve high reproducibility and obtain accurate and reliable analytical results, further improving the measurement limit of the micro-volume spectrophotometer. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 This is a front view showing the overall structure of a conventional micro spectrophotometer.

[0048] Figure 2 (A) through (C) are examples of using Figure 1 A front view of the change in optical path length during sample measurement using a spectrophotometer.

[0049] Figure 3 (A) is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a reflective micro spectrophotometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 3 (B) is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a transmission micro spectrophotometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged views of the upper and lower bases shown in (A) and (B).

[0052] Figure 5 This is a side view of the positional changes of the lower base and the cover arm when the upper and lower bases are in contact with each other according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of an upper base with angle adjustment function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 7 (A) and (B) illustrate another embodiment of the invention, wherein the angle between the opposing surfaces is adjusted by rotating the upper base in the upper and lower bases having opposing surfaces in a non-parallel state, wherein

[0055] Figure 7 (A) is a plan view including the upper base of the cover arm, and

[0056] Figure 7 (B) is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of line AA in (A).

[0057] Figure 8 (A) and (B) show the change in sample absorbance as the distance between the upper and lower bases containing the liquid sample decreases, where

[0058] Figure 8 (A) is a diagram of a comparative example, in which the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are parallel, and

[0059] Figure 8 (B) is a diagram of an implementation where the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are not parallel.

[0060] Figure 9 (A) and (B) are graphs showing repetitive spectral measurements of ultra-high concentrations of DNA, in which

[0061] Figure 9 (A) shows a comparative example in which the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are parallel, and

[0062] Figure 9 (B) illustrates an embodiment in which the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are not parallel.

[0063] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 9 A table comparing the concentration measurement performance between the measurement results. Detailed Implementation

[0064] Best way to carry out the invention

[0065] The above-mentioned objectives of the present invention and the measurement process using the device, including technical configuration, can be understood in more detail from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 3 (A) is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a reflective micro spectrophotometer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (B) is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a transmission-type micro spectrophotometer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged views of the upper and lower bases shown in (A) and (B).

[0067] First, such as Figure 3As shown in (A), the optical path length adjustment device of the reflective micro spectrophotometer includes a cover arm 3, which is hinged to rotate about a hinge axis 2 located on the upper side of the rectangular enclosed housing 1. A cover arm stop 4 is formed on the opposite side of the hinge axis 2, and the free end of the cover arm 3 rests on the cover arm stop 4 in a closed state.

[0068] The outer casing 1 is provided with: a lower base moving device 8, which includes a stepper motor 5, a screw 6 driven to rotate by the stepper motor; and a lifting base 7 that meshes with the screw gear and moves vertically.

[0069] Meanwhile, the lower base 9 is connected to the upper end of the lifting base 7, and the upper base 10 is connected to the cover arm 3, located directly above the lower base 9.

[0070] The light emitted by the lamp 11 installed in the housing 1 passes through the optical fiber 12a and illuminates the upper base 10. The light reflected from the upper base 10 is transmitted along the optical fiber 12b to the spectrometer 13, thereby enabling the analysis of the physical properties of the sample to be tested and displaying the analysis results.

[0071] Next, Figure 3 The optical path length adjustment device of the transmission micro spectrophotometer 1' shown in (B) is... Figure 3 The device shown in (A) is the same, except that the light rays irradiated from the lower base 9 travel through the upper base 10 and are then transmitted to the spectrometer 13 via the optical fiber 12c. Therefore, in Figure 3 The same parts in (A) and (B) are given the same reference numerals.

[0072] As is well known, even if the distance between the upper and lower bases is the same, the optical path length of a reflective spectrophotometer is twice that of a transmission spectrophotometer.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), in the optical path length adjustment device of the reflective and transmissive micro spectrophotometer, the upper surface of the lower base 9 (which is connected to the lifting base 7, the lifting base 7 being geared to the screw 6, the screw 6 being rotated by the stepper motor 5, and the upper surface being the surface opposite to the upper base 10) remains horizontal as the lifting base 7 moves vertically up and down.

[0074] At the same time, such as Figure 4 As shown, the upper base 10, fixed to the cover arm 3, is assembled in a non-parallel state relative to the cover arm 3. The lower base 9. More specifically, unlike the lower base 9 whose opposing surface LS remains horizontal, the opposing surface US of the upper base 10, vertically assembled above it, is assembled off-horizontally, thus forming a specific angle θ between the two opposing surfaces LS and US.

[0075] like Figure 3As shown in (A) and (B), when the cover arm 3 is in the closed state, the upper base 10 is supported on the cover arm stop 4 and remains in a fixed position. However, as the lower base 9 moves upward, the relative surface LS of the lower base 9 comes into contact with the inclined relative surface US of the upper base 10. From this point onward, the position of the cover arm 3 and the upper base 10 is determined by the position of the lower base 9.

[0076] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the upper and lower bases in contact with each other. Since there is a constant angle θ between the two bases 9 and 10, there is a constant gap between them. This gap determines the optical path of the sample, and the distance l between the centers of the two bases (through which the light passes) when the two bases are in contact is given by the following formula.

[0077]

[0078] here,

[0079] D Diameter of the upper base

[0080] θ The angle (in radians) between the two bases.

[0081] Figure 5 This is a side view showing the positional changes of the lower base and the cover arm when the upper and lower bases are in contact with each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the displacement of the cover arm 3 and the change in the distance between the centers of the two bases due to the positional change of the lower base 9 when the upper and lower bases 9 and 10 are in partial positions.

[0082] If the distance between the two bases of the control target is l o The positional deviation of the lower base 9 is e In the existing technology, this distance deviation directly affects the actual distance between the bases, causing it to become... l’ = l o + e This results in an error rate of e / l o .

[0083] However, due to l o The error rate can be extremely high in very short timeframes, on the order of tens of micrometers, especially in ultra-high concentration ranges. Therefore, traditional techniques require high control precision, with deviations at the sub-micrometer level.

[0084] On the other hand, such as Figure 5As shown, in the optical path length adjustment device of the micro spectrophotometer according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the base 9 experiences a positional deviation... e At this time, the upper base 10 contacts the lower base 9 and moves together, so the angle between the two bases 9 and 10 and the angle of the cover arm 3 change together.

[0085] Therefore, when the two bases are in contact, if the control target l o Set to distance l When the deviation changes, the angle between the bases is θ' The distance between the two bases is l’ The angle of the cover arm changes as follows α The distance l' between the two bases is given by the following formula (assuming...) θ and α The axes of rotation are collinear.

[0086]

[0087] here,

[0088] L It is the distance from the center axis of the upper base of the cover arm to the center of the front axle.

[0089] Therefore, the display change between the two bases |(l - l')| is And generally speaking, because according to so This could potentially significantly reduce optical path deviation compared to traditional technologies.

[0090] Therefore, this invention can solve the problem of base position reproducibility in ultra-high concentration ranges, thereby enabling the relative surface angle between two bases to be determined solely by considering photometric performance. For example, assuming the maximum measurable absorbance of the transmission micro spectrophotometer is 2.5 Abs, the upper base diameter is 2 mm, and the maximum target absorbance is 750 Abs / cm, which is at a world-class level, then the angle between the two bases is as follows.

[0091]

[0092] Because the optical path length of a reflective micro spectrophotometer is doubled, its angle is 0.5 times that of a transmissive one. As the angle between the opposing surfaces of the two bases decreases, the maximum measurable absorbance increases. However, the minimum measurable absorbance of the corresponding cross-section also increases, therefore, the measurable range of the corresponding cross-section needs to be considered, and an appropriate angle design is required.

[0093] at the same time, Figure 6This is a cross-sectional view of an upper base with angle adjustment function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The angle adjustment configuration and angle adjustment process of the upper base will be referred to... Figure 6 Describe it.

[0094] As shown in the figure, an upper base slot 3b is formed on the cover arm base 3a. The cover arm base 3a is rotatably connected to the hinge shaft 2, through which the hinge shaft 2 passes. Based on the upper base slot 3b, a pair of nuts 3c are vertically mounted on both sides of the cover arm base 3a. In this case, the hinge shaft 2, the pair of nuts 3c, and the upper base slot 3b form a straight line.

[0095] Next, the upper base 10, which is fixed to the center below the upper base base 14 and protrudes outwards, is assembled to pass through the upper base slot 3b. At this time, a pair of bolt insertion holes 14a are formed in the area of ​​the upper base base 14 corresponding to the positions where a pair of nuts 3c are formed, and bolts 16 passing through each bolt insertion hole 14a are tightened with nuts 3c, thereby fixing the upper base base 14, including the upper base 10, to the cover arm base 3a.

[0096] At this time, a contact ball 15 supported by a spring S is provided on the inner side of the bolt insertion hole 14a (i.e., the lower part of the upper base 14 between the bolt insertion hole and the upper base 10), so that the upper base 10 is elastically supported on the cover arm base 3a and fixed by the screw connection between a pair of bolts 16 and nuts 3c.

[0097] exist Figure 6 In the middle, the upper surface of the lower base 9 (i.e. the opposite surface LS of the lower base) is in a horizontal state, and the opposite surface US of the upper base is assembled in a way that is offset by a predetermined angle θ.

[0098] In this state, the angle θ between the two opposing surfaces is adjusted by adjusting the insertion depth of the bolt 15, which passes through the upper base 14 and connects to the nut 3c on the cover arm base 3a. That is, in Figure 6 In the state shown, if bolt 16 is loosened from its initial state, shortening its insertion depth (or screw-in length) with nut 3c, the left side of upper base 14 will rise relative to cover arm base 3a, causing angle θ to increase compared to the initial angle before adjustment. Similarly, if bolt 16 on the right side is tightened further, the angle will also increase.

[0099] On the other hand, further tightening the left bolt 16 or loosening the right bolt will cause the angle θ to decrease compared to the original angle.

[0100] The structure described above for adjusting the angle between the relative surfaces of the upper and lower bases has the advantage of compensating for manufacturing and assembly tolerances, and the required angle can be adjusted by measuring the absorbance of a sample with a standard absorbance value and identifying the actual optical path length.

[0101] at the same time, Figure 7 (A) and (B) illustrate another embodiment of the invention, wherein the angle of the opposing surfaces is adjusted by rotating the upper base of the upper and lower bases having opposing surfaces in a non-parallel state, wherein Figure 7 (A) is a plan view including the upper base of the upper arm. Figure 7 (B) is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of line AA in (A).

[0102] As shown in the figure, the overall structure of the angle adjustment device in this embodiment is similar to... Figure 6 The implementation method is similar, except that the relative surface LS (i.e., the upper surface of the lower base 9) deviates from the horizontal state at a predetermined angle. θ 2 The upper base is tilted, and the relative surface US of the upper base also deviates from the horizontal state at a predetermined angle. θ 1 tilt.

[0103] In order to adjust the angle between the opposing surfaces in this embodiment, the upper base base 14', which is connected to the nut 3c on the cover arm base 3a by bolt 16, is configured to be pivotable. That is, as Figure 7 As shown in (A), an arched guide groove 14'a is formed, extending outward from each insertion slot of the bolt 16 to both sides. Furthermore, by holding the knob-shaped upper base 14' and rotating it to the left or right as indicated by the arrow, the optical path length is adjusted according to the angle change formed by the relative surfaces LS and US of the upper and lower bases.

[0104] Next, Figure 8 (A) and (B) show how the sample absorbance changes as the distance between the upper and lower bases containing the liquid sample decreases, where Figure 8 (A) is a graph for a comparative example, in which the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are parallel. Figure 8 (B) is a graph of the implementation method, in which the relative surfaces of the upper and lower bases are not parallel.

[0105] Figure 8 (A) and (B) show the process by which the absorbance of a liquid sample, placed between two bases at a distance of 303 nm and having an absorbance of approximately 10.53 Abs / cm per unit length, changes as the distance between the two bases decreases. In the embodiment, the angle between the two bases is set to approximately 1.5 degrees; in the comparative example, the two bases are manufactured to be parallel to each other.

[0106] The X-axis represents the number of steps driven by the stepper motor that moves the lower base. As the stepping distance increases, the lower base rises, thus reducing the distance between the two bases.

[0107] In such Figure 8 In the embodiment shown in (B), it can be confirmed that when the absorbance reaches approximately 0.03, the two substrates begin to contact, thereby making the optical path length constant, and therefore the absorbance also remains constant. This indicates that when the two substrates are in contact with each other, the optical path length is approximately 0.03 mm. l =0.03[Abs] / 10.53[Abs / cm]*10[cm / mm]).

[0108] On the other hand, in the comparative example, it can be confirmed that the parallel opposing surfaces of the two bases are in perfect contact with the base surfaces, making the absorbance approach 0 Abs.

[0109] Next, Figure 9 (A) and (B) are graphs showing repeated spectral measurements of ultra-high concentrations of DNA, in which... Figure 9 (A) shows a comparative example in which the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are parallel, and Figure 9 Example (B) shows an example where the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower bases are not parallel. Furthermore, Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A table comparing the concentration measurement performance between the measurement results.

[0110] Figure 9 (A) to Figure 10 The performance improvements achieved by this invention are illustrated. Figure 9 In the embodiment shown in (B), the two bases are configured such that the angle between them is 1.5 degrees, resulting in a center distance of 0.015 mm when the two bases are in contact (the optical path length is 0.03 mm, which is twice that of the reflective type). Figure 9 In the comparative example shown in Figure (A), the two bases were manufactured parallel to each other, and the motor stepping distance was controlled so that the distance between the two bases was 0.015 mm. For performance evaluation, an ultra-high concentration of dsDNA sample at a concentration of approximately 26,000 ng / μL (standard absorbance of 520 Abs / cm) was used, and performance was analyzed by 10 replicate measurements.

[0111] In each experiment, the lower base was moved to its initial position before measurement and then moved to the measurement position during measurement to evaluate the position reproducibility and its impact on concentration measurement performance.

[0112] The implementation method is compared with the comparative example, based on Figure 10 The results shown in the table demonstrate that the implementation exhibits very low inter-spectral bias. In other words, quantitative analysis confirming measurement bias shows an approximately tenfold performance improvement, as indicated by the CV values.

[0113] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0114] 1. Outer shell 2. Hinge pin

[0115] 3. Cover arm 3a. Cover arm base

[0116] 3b. Upper base insertion slot 3c. Nut

[0117] 4. Cover arm stop 5. Stepper motor

[0118] 6. Screw 7. Lifting base

[0119] 8. Lower base moving device 9. Lower base

[0120] 10. Upper base 11. Lamp

[0121] 12a, 12b, 12c. Fiber optics; 13. Spectrometer

[0122] 14, 14'. Upper base base 14a. Bolt insertion hole

[0123] 14'a. Arched guide groove 15. Contact ball

[0124] 16. Bolts LS, US. Relative surfaces

[0125] S. Spring.

Claims

1. A light path adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer, comprising: shell; The cover arm is mounted so as to be able to rotate about a hinge axis located on one side of the upper part of the housing; A cover arm stop, wherein the free end of the cover arm rests on the cover arm stop in the closed state; The lower base is illuminated by light transmitted via optical fiber from a lamp installed inside the housing; the upper base is supported by the cover arm and is located above the lower base. A lower base moving device is configured to allow the lower base to move vertically relative to the upper base; And a spectrometer configured to receive light illuminating the lower base and passing through the optical path via an optical fiber, analyze the measurement characteristics of the sample, and display the analyzed characteristics, wherein the relative surfaces of the lower base and the upper base are in a non-parallel state.

2. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein, An angle of 1° to 3° is formed between the opposing surfaces of the upper base and the lower base.

3. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 2, wherein, The spectrophotometer is a reflective micro-spectrophotometer, wherein the angle between the opposing surfaces of the two bases is 0.5° to 1.5°.

4. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein, The lower base moving device includes a stepper motor, a screw driven by the stepper motor to rotate, and a lifting base meshing with the screw gear for vertically moving the lower base.

5. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein, The relative surfaces of the lower base are horizontal, while the relative surfaces of the upper base are deviated from the horizontal state.

6. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 5, wherein, The relative surfaces of the upper base are configured such that the angle relative to the relative surfaces of the lower base is adjustable.

7. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 6, wherein, The angle adjustment of the relative surfaces of the upper base is performed as follows: a pair of bolt insertion holes are formed on the upper base base, and the upper base is mounted on the upper base base; a corresponding nut is formed on the cover arm base; and the relative insertion depth of the bolt threaded with the nut through the corresponding bolt insertion hole is adjusted.

8. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 7, wherein, The upper base is configured such that the contact ball exposed by the springs embedded inward from the pair of bolt insertion holes makes elastic contact with the upper surface of the cover arm base.

9. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein, The relative surfaces of the upper base and the lower base are not parallel.

10. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 9, wherein, The relative surfaces of the upper base are configured such that the angle relative to the relative surfaces of the lower base is adjustable.

11. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 10, wherein, The angle adjustment of the relative surface of the upper base is performed by rotating the upper base base, which is mounted on the upper base base.

12. The optical path length adjustment device for a micro spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein, The rotation of the upper base is achieved by an arched guide groove, which is formed to extend outward from the bolt insertion groove to both sides thereon. A pair of bolts are inserted into the bolt insertion groove, which supports the upper base on the cover arm base.

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