Identification device, identification method

Abstract

To provide an identification device in which projection positions of spectroscopic spectra corresponding to rays of irradiation light having different excitation wavelengths are made close to each other, and the efficiency of use of components including an imaging unit is improved.SOLUTION: An identification device is configured such that rays of light included in a spectral image and having predetermined wavelengths corresponding to different excitation wavelengths are projected on an imaging unit so that the distance between projection positions of the rays of light having the predetermined wavelengths becomes shorter than the distance between light paths in which rays of light included in spectral light and having predetermined wavelengths corresponding to different excitation wavelengths pass through an imaging lens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to , recognition a separate device , and recognition method and pertains thereto.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an identification device that optically identifies the properties of a specimen using spectroscopic analysis. Such an identification device is used for inspection of manufactured products, sorting of waste, etc. by being disposed in the middle of a conveyance unit that conveys the specimen. Spectroscopic analysis does not necessarily require steps related to a vacuum decompression step, an atmosphere control step, an immersion treatment step in a liquid, and a drying step that limit the analysis throughput, and in recent years, attempts have been made to apply it to the sorting of waste resin in that it can identify the properties of a specimen under an air atmosphere.

[0003] Spectroscopic analysis includes absorption spectroscopy that acquires an absorption spectrum of a specimen with respect to irradiation light, and scattering spectroscopy that acquires a scattering spectrum of the specimen with respect to irradiation light. Since scattering spectroscopy is hardly affected by light attenuation in the thickness direction of the specimen, it is used for identifying waste with varying specimen sizes and contained materials. Raman scattering spectroscopy that spectroscopies Raman scattered light is suitable for identifying resins because it uses a Raman spectrum that exhibits a wavenumber shift specific to molecular bonds constituting hydrocarbons and the like.

[0004] There is known an identification device that irradiates a specimen with laser light of a predetermined wavelength as excitation light, spectroscopies the Raman scattered light from the specimen with a spectroscopic element, and projects it onto an imaging element to acquire spectral images in parallel. The identification device described in Patent Document 1 discloses using a semiconductor laser as a light source and acquiring a Raman spectral image of a resin with an excitation light of a predetermined wavelength using an imaging element such as a CMOS or a CCD.

[0005] On the other hand, in use cases such as waste screening and recycling, the specimens to be inspected are collected from the market and have variations in color and taste due to scattering, absorption, reflection, etc. Therefore, with a single-color excitation light, there is a risk that a spectroscopic spectrum effective for identification cannot be obtained with useful sensitivity. There is a known technique for improving the identification accuracy of an identification device for specimens containing a mixture of white resin and black resin by switching and irradiating excitation lights of different wavelengths. The Raman spectroscopy identification device described in Patent Document 2 includes a spectroscopic optical system that shares an irradiation unit, a light collection unit, a spectroscope, and an imaging element other than two excitation light sources, and a two-optical system form in which two excitation light sources, irradiation units, light collection units, spectroscopes, and imaging elements are provided respectively. The identification device according to the two embodiments described in Patent Document 2 discloses determining whether to perform identification processing using the other excitation light based on the intensity information of the Raman spectrum obtained using one of the two different wavelengths of excitation light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The identification device of the one-optical system form described in Patent Document 2 not only has high robustness against the population of specimens for identifying specimens presenting different colors and tastes, but also has the advantage that, compared with the identification device of the two-optical system form, the utilization efficiency of the elements of the device is high and it is suitable for miniaturization of the identification device. However, since one spectroscope is shared for two excitation wavelengths λS and λL, the projection positions of the spectral light projected onto the imaging unit corresponding to the common Raman shift (wavenumber shift) are shifted on the diffraction plane corresponding to the two excitation wavelengths λS and λL. The diffraction plane corresponds to the plane where the diffraction angle of the diffraction element, which is a diffraction grating or a diffraction mirror, spreads.

[0008] Therefore, the identification device of the one-optical-system type described in Patent Document 2 images a common wavenumber shift band corresponding to the spectral target band that is the target for identification for each of the two excitation wavelengths λS and λL, and acquires a spectral image. At this time, the identification device of the one-optical-system type described in Patent Document 2 has a mode of projecting a spectral spectrum in which there is no shared light-receiving element that receives the spectral images for the two excitation wavelengths λS and λL respectively, and there was concern that the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit was not sufficient. That is, there was concern that the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit would decrease because the ratio of the number of light-receiving elements that are used by the irradiation light of one excitation wavelength but not used when irradiated with the other excitation wavelength in the effective imaging region increases.

[0009] For example, for the irradiation light of each of the excitation wavelengths of 514 nm and 633 nm, when the target identification band is 500 cm -1 ~2500 cm -1 the necessary wavelength band is 528 nm to 752 nm including 528 nm to 590 nm and 654 nm to 752 nm. Therefore, even if the imaging element and the spectroscopic element are shared and the projection spectrum is switched and projected onto a common line for each excitation wavelength, the number of elements capable of receiving a band 3.6 times and 2.3 times wider than the original target identification band is required. That is, the utilization efficiency of the imaging element is reduced.

[0010] If the ratio of the number of unused light-receiving elements generated corresponding to the excitation wavelength in the effective imaging region that constitutes the imaging unit is reduced, the number of channels of the spectral image projected onto the effective imaging region is increased, and the throughput related to the identification process is improved. Similarly, if the ratio of the number of unused light-receiving elements generated corresponding to the excitation wavelength in the effective imaging region is reduced, it becomes possible to shorten the wavenumber band converted by the light-receiving elements in the effective imaging region, and the energy resolution in the wavenumber direction is improved.

[0011] That is, although the utilization efficiency of components of the identification device of the one-optical-system type described in Patent Document 2 is improved compared to that of the identification device of the two-optical-system type, the arrangement of the spectroscopic optical system that affects the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit is a configuration in which improvement is desired. In other words, the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit of the identification device of the one-optical-system type described in Patent Document 2 is not necessarily sufficient and is a configuration in which further improvement is desired.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an identification device in which the projection positions of spectroscopic spectra corresponding to irradiation lights of different excitation wavelengths are brought closer together and the utilization efficiency of components including an imaging unit is increased.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an irradiation unit optically coupled to a light source capable of switching and generating lights of different excitation wavelengths and irradiating the light toward a specimen, a light collection unit that collects scattered light from the specimen irradiated with the light, and the light from the light collection unit the said scattering a spectroscopic unit that spectroscopically analyzes the light, an imaging lens arranged so that the spectral light spectroscopically analyzed by the spectroscopic unit passes therethrough, and an imaging unit that images the spectral light projected through the imaging lens and acquires a spectral image, and is an identification device comprising: The distance between the projection positions where the projection position of the spectral light corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift on the imaging unit is displaced as the excitation wavelength is switched is shorter than the distance between the optical paths where the optical path through which the spectral light corresponding to the predetermined wave number shift passes through the imaging lens is displaced as the excitation wavelength is switched, and each of the spectral lights corresponding to the predetermined wave number shift is projected onto the imaging unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an identification device in which the projection positions of spectroscopic spectra corresponding to irradiation lights of different excitation wavelengths are brought closer together and the utilization efficiency of components including an imaging unit is increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Fig. 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the identification device according to the first embodiment. [Fig. 2] It is a schematic configuration diagram (a) of the spectroscopic information acquisition unit according to the first embodiment, a schematic configuration diagram (b) of the image information acquisition unit, partial enlarged views (c), (e) showing the presence or absence of a dichroic mirror in the first embodiment and the reference embodiment, and diagrams (d), (f) showing the differences Δf, Δfc in the imaging position with respect to the wave number shift. [Fig. 3] It is a schematic configuration diagram (a) showing the relationship between the imaging unit and the spectral image according to the first embodiment, a diagram (b) showing the excitation wavelength dependence of the spectral spectral wavelength corresponding to the wave number shift, and diagrams (c), (d) showing the projection positions of the spectral images of the first embodiment and the reference embodiment corresponding to the presence or absence of a dichroic mirror. [Fig. 4] It is a schematic configuration diagram (a) of the image information acquisition unit according to the second embodiment, and partial enlarged views (b), (c) of the projection optical system including a dichroic mirror. [Fig. 5] It is a detailed diagram (a) showing the schematic configuration of the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10b according to the third embodiment, and diagrams (b), (c) explaining the effects of a plurality of emission units. [Fig. 6] It is a schematic configuration diagram (a) of the image information acquisition unit according to the fourth embodiment, and a diagram (b) showing the projection of the spectrum onto the imaging device. [Fig. 7] It is a diagram showing the schematic configuration (a) of the identification device according to the fifth embodiment and the projection of the spectrum onto the imaging device (b).

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <First Embodiment> The identification device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2(a) to 2(f). FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the identification device 1000 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a partial detailed view showing the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100 included in the identification device 1000 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(b) is a detailed view showing the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 included in the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100 shown in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 2(c) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the mirror 152 to show the effect of the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2(d) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the imaging lens 160 and the imaging unit 170 to show the effect of the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment. FIGS. 2(e) and 2(f) are enlarged views showing the light rays of a reference embodiment not provided with the dichroic mirror 151 and correspond to FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d).

[0018] In FIG. 1, the -z direction corresponds to the vertical direction, the gravitational direction, the x direction corresponds to the conveyance direction dc, the y direction corresponds to the conveyance width direction dw, and the xy plane corresponds to the horizontal plane. The conveyance width direction dw is parallel to the conveyance surface 201 and coincides with the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction dc.

[0019] (Identification device) As shown in FIG. 1, the identification device 1000 includes irradiation units 22S and 22L that irradiate the specimen 900i conveyed in the conveyance direction dc with irradiation lights 220S and 220L having different wavelengths at different times so as to converge. In other words, the irradiation unit 22 includes the irradiation units 22S and 22L so that the irradiation lights 220S and 220L corresponding to excitation lights having at least different wavelengths can be irradiated at different timings. Here, the subscripts S and L indicate that the wavelengths of the corresponding irradiation lights are different, and the subscript S indicates that the irradiation light has a shorter wavelength than the subscript L.

[0020] As for the mode in which the irradiation lights 220S and 220L corresponding to excitation lights of at least different wavelengths can be irradiated at different timings, the mode in which the irradiation lights 220S and 220L are switched at the times ti_S and ti_L is included. That is, the mode in which the irradiation lights 220S and 220L can be irradiated at different timings includes a form in which the wavelengths are sequentially and alternately switched at the times ti_S, ti_L, ti+1_S, ti+1_L, ti+2_S, ti+2_L, ···.

[0021] In addition, the mode in which the irradiation lights 220S and 220L can be irradiated at different timings includes a form that includes a period in which the irradiation lights 220S and 220L having different wavelengths are irradiated simultaneously and a period in which neither of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L having different wavelengths is irradiated.

[0022] The specimen 900i is supplied to the transport unit 200 by the feeder 500 and is transported along the transport direction dc by the transport unit 200. The irradiation lights 220S and 220L may be referred to as primary lights 220S and 220L, and focused lights 220S and 220L.

[0023] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the discrimination device 1000 includes light collection units 20S and 20L that collect scattered light (secondary light) from the specimen 900i corresponding to the irradiation units 22S and 22L. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the discrimination device 1000 includes an acquisition unit 30 that acquires discrimination information for discriminating the properties of the specimen 900i based on at least one of the secondary lights 240S and 240L collected by each of the light collection units 20S and 20L.

[0024] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the discrimination device 1000 has a transport unit 200 including a conveyor belt that transports the specimen 900i in the x direction at a transport speed vc, and a discrimination device 300 on the downstream side of the transport direction dc of the transport unit 200.

[0025] Next, the spectroscopic information acquisition unit according to the features of the present invention included in the discrimination device 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. 2(a).

[0026] (Spectroscopic information acquisition unit) The identification device 1000 has a spectral information acquisition unit 100 that acquires spectral information of the secondary light collected from the specimen 900i. The spectral information acquisition unit 100 is a unit that acquires a Raman spectrum from the wavenumber difference (wavenumber shift with respect to the excitation light) between the Raman scattered light contained in the secondary light from the specimen 900i and the excitation light contained in the primary light.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the spectral information acquisition unit 100 includes an irradiation unit 22S and an irradiation unit 22L that irradiate the specimen 900i with irradiation lights (primary lights) 220S and 220L having different wavelengths at different times, respectively. In addition, it includes a light collection unit 20S and a light collection unit 20L that collect the secondary lights 240S and 240L from the corresponding specimen 900i, respectively. Here, the irradiation timings of the excitation lights are controlled so that only one of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L is irradiated toward the specimen 900i at the same time. A form is included in which the irradiation lights 220S and 220L corresponding to the two excitation wavelengths λS and λL are not irradiated simultaneously. The irradiation units 22S and 22L and the light collection units 20S and 20L of the present embodiment are arranged coaxially, and the irradiation units 22S and 22L are optically coupled via a light source 25 including one or more laser light sources and optical fibers 130S and 130L. The light collection units 20S and 20L are optically coupled to the spectral image acquisition unit 10 via the corresponding optical fibers 190S and 190L so that the spectral information acquisition unit 100 can acquire the optical information reflecting the material contained in the specimen 900i.

[0028] (Light collection unit) FIG. 2(a) is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100. The spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100 includes light collection units 27S and 27L having an irradiation unit 22S, 22L that irradiates the specimen 900i with irradiation light 220S, 220L, and a light collection unit 20S, 20L that collects secondary light 240S, 240L from the specimen 900i. The irradiation units 22S, 22L and the light collection units 20S, 20L are coaxially arranged on the specimen side (objective lens side) as viewed from the dichroic mirrors 250S, 250L. Therefore, even if there are height differences or inclinations on the irradiation surface of the specimen 900i, displacement is less likely to occur between the center of the condensing spot of the irradiation light and the center of the light beam of the scattered light (secondary light) to be collected. In the example of FIG. 2(a), the emission ends of the optical fibers 130S, 130L, the condensing spots of the irradiation lights 220S, 220L, and the light collection ends 192S, 192L of the optical fibers 190S, 190L are in a conjugate relationship. That is, the light collection units 27S, 27L have a confocal optical system configuration.

[0029] (Irradiation unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the irradiation units 22S, 22L are arranged above the transport unit 200 at a predetermined distance WD_S, WD_L from the transport surface 201 of the conveyor belt.

[0030] The irradiation units 22S, 22L are arranged so as to condense the irradiation lights 220S, 220L toward the upper surface of the specimen 900i, thereby increasing the scattering intensity of Raman scattered light, which is several digits weaker than Rayleigh scattered light. The unit including the irradiation units 22S, 22L and the light source 25 may be referred to as an irradiation optical system.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the irradiation units 22S, 22L include objective lenses 260S, 260L, dichroic mirrors 250S, 250L, collimating lenses 230S, 230L, and reflecting mirrors 210S, 210L. As the objective lenses 260S, 260L, convex lenses, collimating lenses, concave lenses, zoom lenses, etc. may be employed.

[0032] Note that synthetic quartz can be used as the optical materials for the collimating lenses 230S and 230L, the objective lenses 260S and 260L, etc. These lenses are irradiated with high-output light from the light source 25. By using lenses made of synthetic quartz as the optical materials, it is possible to reduce background components unnecessary for spectroscopic measurement of the specimen 900i, such as fluorescence and Raman scattered light.

[0033] The objective lenses 260S and 260L act as condenser lenses that condense the light from the light source 25 onto the specimen 900i in the irradiation units 22S and 22L. The objective lenses 260S and 260L form focal planes 65S and 65L and a focal point (also referred to as a focal spot or a condenser spot) with a focal diameter φ (not shown) and a depth of focus ΔDF_S and ΔDF_L at positions separated by focal lengths DF_S and DF_L corresponding to the numerical aperture NA. The height of the focal planes 65S and 65L with respect to the transport surface 201 is set in consideration of the distribution of the heights hj (see FIG. 1) of the specimen groups 900i (i = 1, 2, 3,...).

[0034] The collimating lenses 230S and 230L reduce the spread of the light (excitation light) from the light source 25 emitted from the optical fibers 130S and 130L and shape it into parallel light. As an alternative to the optical fibers 130S and 130L and the collimating lenses 230S, one or more cylindrical lenses may be used. Alternatively, other collimating optical elements such as anamorphic prism pairs may be used. Note that a wavelength filter such as a laser line filter may be disposed between the collimating lenses 230S and 230L and the dichroic mirrors 250S and 250L in the irradiation units 22S and 22L. Thereby, the wavelength characteristics of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L can be improved. In the present embodiment system, although the collimating lenses 230S and 230L shape the light into parallel light, they can be replaced with other lenses having a positive power that reduces the spread without necessarily achieving complete parallelization.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 2(a), at least a part of the irradiation units 22S and 22L can be shared with the light collection units 20S and 20L. Since the light collection units 20S and 20L and the irradiation units 22S and 22L of the present embodiment are coaxially arranged, the objective lenses 260S and 260L and the dichroic mirrors 250S and 250L are shared by the light collection units 20S and 20L and the irradiation units 22S and 22L.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the irradiation units 22S and 22L irradiate light from the light source 25 toward the placement unit 200 on which the specimen 900i is placed through different optical paths 220S and 220L at different times corresponding to different excitation wavelengths S. The irradiation units 22S and 22L include a plurality of irradiation ends 260S and 260L corresponding to different excitation wavelengths S.

[0037] (Light source) The light source 25 is a light source that generates light of different wavelengths (excitation light) to the irradiation units 22S and 22L respectively through the optical fibers 130S and 130L. The light source 25 generates light by switching between lights of different excitation wavelengths λS and λL. As a light source switching mode, the light source 25 can adopt a mode of driving a light source that selectively activates a plurality of semiconductor lasers having different central oscillation wavelengths one by one at a predetermined time to generate light. As another aspect, the light source 25 can adopt a wavelength variable laser form that sequentially switches between two different oscillation wavelengths using one wavelength variable laser capable of wavelength sweeping within a predetermined wavelength range. Hereinafter, the light of the excitation wavelength on the short wavelength side may be referred to as excitation light S, and the light on the long wavelength side may be referred to as excitation light L. It should be noted that the light irradiation units 22S and 22L optically coupled to the light source that generates light by switching between lights of different excitation wavelengths λS and λL are the emission ends 22S and 22L that irradiate light by switching the wavelength.

[0038] As the light source 25 applied to the irradiation optical system for spectroscopically analyzing Raman scattered light, a laser light source that emits at least any wavelength within the wavelength range of 400 to 1100 nm is used. In principle, for the Raman scattered light from the specimen 900i, the shorter the excitation wavelength, the higher the scattering efficiency, and the longer the excitation wavelength, the lower the fluorescence component that becomes background. For example, the intensity of Raman scattered light with an excitation wavelength of 473 nm may be three times or more compared to the intensity of Raman scattered light with an excitation wavelength of 638 nm.

[0039] The excitation wavelength of the laser light source applied to the light source 25 is selected to be a wavelength at which the difference in Raman spectra between the target material and the non-target material contained in the target specimen can be clearly obtained. In addition, generally, for the purpose of improving the identification accuracy of black resin with low Raman scattering efficiency, an excitation wavelength in the ultraviolet to blue region is used, and for the purpose of improving the identification accuracy of white resin or fluorescent resin that tends to generate fluorescent components, an excitation wavelength in the red to near-infrared region is preferably selected. The light source 25 whose excitation wavelength can be switched is adopted by appropriately selecting and combining semiconductor lasers with center wavelengths of 457 nm, 473 nm, 488 nm, 515 nm, 532 nm, 633 nm, 638 nm, 660 nm, 685 nm, and 785 nm.

[0040] Note that the light source 25 is not limited to a semiconductor laser, and other laser light sources such as semiconductor-excited solid-state lasers and gas lasers can also be used.

[0041] (Light collection unit) The light collection units 20S and 20L are arranged above the transport surface 201 so that they can collect the secondary light 240S and 240L from the upper surface of the specimen 900i transported by the transport unit 200. In other words, the light collection units 20S and 20L are arranged above the transport unit 200 corresponding to the irradiation region so that they can collect the secondary light 240S and 240L from the upper surface of the specimen 900i passing through the irradiation region of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L from the irradiation units 22S and 22L.

[0042] The light collection units 20S and 20L include objective lenses 260S and 260L, dichroic mirrors 250S and 250L, imaging lenses 270S and 270L, and optical fibers 190S and 190L. The objective lenses 260S and 260L of the light collection units 20S and 20L include convex lenses, collimating lenses, concave lenses, zoom lenses, etc., similar to the irradiation units 22S and 22L. The light collection units 20S and 20L may be equipped with wavelength filters to reduce the light unnecessary for spectroscopic measurement mixed in the secondary lights 240S and 240L. For example, there are notch filters that reduce the excitation light component contained in the primary light, and band-pass filters and long-pass filters that also reduce the anti-Stokes light contained in the secondary light. Note that the secondary lights 240S and 240L before being spectroscopically analyzed by the spectroscopic unit 150 may be equivalently referred to as the collected scattered lights 240S and 240L, the guided scattered lights 240S and 240L, the collected secondary lights 240S and 240L, and the guided secondary lights 240S and 240L.

[0043] To ensure the light collection efficiency, the light collection units 20S and 20L are equipped with objective lenses with a large numerical aperture. The numerical aperture of the objective lenses 260S and 260L of the light collection units 20S and 20L is adopted to be 0.25 or more and 0.5 or less. More specifically, B-270 manufactured by SCHOTT with an effective lens diameter of φ25 mm, a focal length of 20 mm, and a numerical aperture of 0.5 can be used.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2(d), the secondary lights 240S and 240L collected by the light collection units 20S and 20L exhibit different wavelengths corresponding to the difference in the excitation wavelength S, even if they are scattered lights with the same wave number shift with respect to the excitation light. Fig. 2(d) shows an example in which the excitation wavelength corresponding to the secondary light 240S is 473 nm and the excitation wavelength corresponding to the secondary light 240L is 638 nm.

[0045] The light collection units 20S and 20L have a plurality of light collection ends 260S and 260L that respectively collect the light collected corresponding to different optical paths from the light collection units 22 and 22L.

[0046] (Spectral image acquisition unit) Next, the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 having a spectroscopic unit, an imaging lens, and an imaging unit according to the features of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2(b), (c), (d), (e), and FIGS. 3(a), (b), (c), (d).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 includes, in order from the sides of the light collection units 20S and 20L, a coupler 195, an optical fiber 191, an output end 193, a collimating lens 110, and a spectroscopic unit 150. Subsequently, it includes a dichroic mirror 151 and a mirror 152 arranged with a predetermined angular difference θc, an imaging lens 160, and an imaging unit 170. The optical fiber 191 is equivalently described as having an output end 193 that emits the collected secondary light toward the collimating lens 110.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 includes a light guiding unit 191 having an output end 193 that emits the secondary light guided from the light collection units 20S and 20L toward the spectroscopic unit 150, and a dichroic mirror 151 arranged in the section from the output end 193 to the imaging unit 170. Further, the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment is located between the spectroscopic unit 150 and the imaging lens 160 and is arranged such that the optical paths of different spectral lights 290S and 290L corresponding to different excitation wavelengths S approach each other. The spectral light 290L is one of the spectral lights 290S and 290L.

[0049] The spectroscopic unit 150 spectrally separates the secondary lights 240S and 240L collected by the light collection units 20S and 20L, respectively, and the spectral spectra 290S and 290L are projected onto the imaging unit 170 via the dichroic mirror 151, the mirror 152, and the imaging lens 160, respectively.

[0050] The spectral spectra 290S and 290L are projected onto the light-receiving elements along the row-direction array 172r included in the effective imaging region of the imaging unit 170. The imaging unit 170 receives the projected spectral spectra 290S and 290L by means of a light-receiving element array arranged in the row direction 172r that the imaging unit 170 has, and acquires spectral images 280S and 280L, respectively. That is, the spectral image acquisition unit 10 included in the identification device 1000 of the present embodiment shares the components of the optical system other than the mirror 152 and the dichroic mirror 151 for the irradiation lights 220S and 220L and the secondary lights 240S and 240L corresponding to different excitation wavelengths λS and λL.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the dichroic mirror 151 and the mirror 152 are arranged on the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S and 290L from the spectral unit 150 including the diffraction grating to the imaging lens 160 so as to exhibit the following optical actions.

[0052] The irradiation lights 220S and 220L corresponding to the switched excitation light S have their reflection optical axes selectively defined by the mirror 152 and the dichroic mirror 151. When the dichroic mirror 151 is inserted compared to the case where the dichroic mirror 151 is not inserted on the incident surface and the reflection surface side of the mirror 152, the distance optical paths between the projection positions that are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength approach each other. In other words, the dichroic mirror 151 is arranged at a predetermined angle θc inclined from the mirror 152 in front of the incident surface and the reflection surface of the mirror 152 so that the distance optical paths between the projection positions that are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength approach each other.

[0053] For example, let Δf be the distance between the projection positions where the projection positions of the spectral lights 290S and 290L on the imaging unit 170 corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift w1 (Raman shift) are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength S (457 nm, 633 nm). The predetermined wave number shift w1 is arbitrarily selected from the target identification range, and in the present embodiment, it represents 2000 cm -1 is representative.

[0054] Furthermore, let Δi be the optical path distance displacement of the optical paths through which the spectral lights 290S and 290L corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift w1 pass through the imaging lens 160, along with the switching of the excitation wavelength S.

[0055] The identification device 1000 of this embodiment is configured such that the distance Δf between the projection positions on the imaging unit 170, which is caused by the change in the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S and 290L along with the switching of the excitation wavelength S, is shorter than the optical path distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160. That is, the spectral light 290S(L)_w1 spectrally split by the spectral splitting unit 150 corresponding to the wave number shift w1 is reflected by each of the mirrors 152 and 151 so that the distance Δf between the positions projected onto the imaging unit 170 is shorter than the distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160. The target identification band TRD is 1600~3100 cm -1 Although it is set as such, equivalent effects can be obtained by selecting other bands.

[0056] Note that since the light source 25 of the identification device 1000 is configured such that the secondary lights 240S and 240L are not collected simultaneously, only one of the spectral images 280S and 280L is projected onto the imaging unit 170 at the same time. Hereinafter, the secondary lights 240S and 240L spectrally split by the spectral splitting unit 150 will be described as the spectral lights 290S and 290L.

[0057] FIG. 2(b) is a view seen from vertically above the plane in which the spectral splitting unit 150 disperses the wavelength components of light in a fan shape. In other words, it is a view of the plane in which the light rays emitted from the spectral splitting unit change their angles depending on the wavelength. In this embodiment, since the spectral splitting unit 150 is a diffraction grating, it can also be said to be a view seen from vertically above the plane in which the diffraction angle changes depending on the wavelength. Let the axis extending vertically upward, that is, the axis perpendicular to the paper surface and facing forward, be the γ-axis. Let the axis perpendicular to the γ-axis and along the periodic structure of the diffraction grating, for example, the direction in which the grooves engraved along the γ-axis repeat, be the α-axis. Let the axis perpendicular to the αγ plane and in the direction in which light passes through be the β-axis. If the diffraction grating is of a flat plate type, it coincides with the αγ plane, and the β-axis is perpendicular to the diffraction grating. Hereinafter, the spectral splitting unit 150 may sometimes be referred to as the diffraction grating 150.

[0058] In FIG. 2(b), first, the secondary light 240S propagates through the optical fiber 190S, and the secondary light 240L propagates through the optical fiber 190L. The two merge at the coupler 195 and then propagate through the optical fiber 191. The secondary lights 240S and 240L emitted from the output end 193 of the optical fiber 191 pass through the collimating lens 110 and are converted into a substantially parallel light beam. Here, the substantially parallel light beam includes a parallel light beam. Subsequently, the secondary lights 240S to 240L that have become parallel light beams are incident on the diffraction grating 150. Since they have different wavelengths as shown in FIG. 6(d), they are diffracted at different angles. As the diffraction grating 150, a transmissive volume phase holographic grating (VPHG) having a refractive index period can be used. Note that it is preferable that the diffraction grating 150 has a high diffraction efficiency for both the secondary lights 240S and 240L. When the diffraction grating 150 disperses the secondary lights 240S and 240L by first-order diffraction, it is preferable that the peak of the diffraction efficiency depending on the wavelength is sandwiched between the wavelength ranges of the secondary lights 240S and 240L (near the middle).

[0059] The optical path after the spectroscopic unit 150 (diffraction grating 150) in FIG. 2(b) is illustrated by focusing on the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 corresponding to a common wave number shift included in the diffracted lights of the secondary lights 240S and 240L. Here, the subscript w1 indicates that the light has a specific wave number shift w1. Since the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 having different wavelengths are diffracted at different angles, a difference θd in the angle change of the two due to diffraction (in other words, the diffraction angle difference θd) occurs.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the dichroic mirror 151 and the mirror 152 are arranged adjacent to each other along the optical path such that the angle between them in the αβ plane is θc. The dichroic mirror 151 reflects one of the secondary lights 240S and 240L and transmits the other. The dichroic mirror 151 in the present embodiment is a short-pass beam splitter 151 (SPBS151) that transmits the spectral light 290S and reflects the spectral light 290L. Hereinafter, the dichroic mirror 151 may be referred to as SPBS151.

[0061] Since the SPBS151 of the present embodiment is an optical element that guides light to the spectroscopic unit 150 that spectroscopically separates the Stokes light, it has filtering characteristics of reflecting the long-wavelength side and transmitting the short-wavelength side. The filtering threshold wavelength λsc of the dichroic mirror 151 is set in the wavelength band between the upper limit value ksu of the wavenumber shift k of the target identification band TRD of the excitation wavelength λS and the lower limit value kll of the wavenumber shift k of the target identification band TRD of the excitation wavelength λL. That is, assuming that λS (nm), λL (nm), ksu (cm -1 ), and kll (cm -1 ) are given, the lower limit and upper limit of λsc (nm) are set to satisfy the following general formulas (1), (2), and (3). λsc lower limit < λsc < λsc upper limit (1) 10 7 / λsc lower limit = 10 7 / λS - ksu (2) 10 7 / λsc upper limit = 10 7 / λL - kll (3)

[0062] In addition, in Fig. 3(b), the upper limit value ksu of the wavenumber shift k of the target identification band TRD is 3100 cm -1 , and the lower limit value kll of the wavenumber shift k of the target identification band TRD is 1600 cm -1 is shown.

[0063] The spectral light 290L reflected by the SPBS151 is incident on the imaging lens 160. On the other hand, the spectral light 290S transmitted through the SPBS151 is reflected by the mirror 152, passes through the SPBS151 again, and is incident on the imaging lens 160. Here, the SPBS151 is inclined by an angle θc with respect to the mirror 152 on the upstream side (short-wavelength side) in the element array direction 172r of the imaging unit 170. Due to this angle difference θc, the incident angle difference θo of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 with respect to the imaging lens 160 becomes smaller than the diffraction angle difference θd. As a result, in the identification device 1000 of the present embodiment including the SPBS151, the distance Δi between the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 passing through the imaging lens 160 is shorter than Δic without the SPBS151. This difference in aspect can be read from FIGS. 2(c) and 2(e). Further, as a result, in the identification device 1000 of the present embodiment including the SPBS151, the distance Δf corresponding to the difference in the projection positions of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 projected on the imaging unit 170 is shorter than Δfc without the SPBS151. This difference in aspect can be read from FIGS. 2(d) and 2(f). In FIGS. 2(d), (f), and FIGS. 4(a), (c), FIGS. 5(a), (c), and FIG. 6(a) described later, Δf and Δfc are illustrated using auxiliary lines parallel to the imaging surface of the imaging unit 170, and Δi and Δic are illustrated using auxiliary lines parallel to the principal plane of the imaging lens 160, respectively.

[0064] Also, as shown in FIG. 2(d), the distance Δf corresponding to the difference in the projection positions of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 projected onto the imaging unit 170 is shorter than the distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160 of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1. As shown in FIG. 2(d), it can be said that the SPBS 151 is arranged such that the distance Δf between the projection positions of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 projected onto the imaging unit 170 is shorter than the distance Δi between the optical paths of the spectral light passing through the imaging lens 160. In addition, the mode in which there exists a wavenumber shift w1 satisfying Δf = 0 in the target identification band TRD means that the wavenumbers at which the spectral lights 290S and 290L are imaged on the light receiving elements with the same element number of the imaging unit 170 are included in the projection spectral images 280S and 280L.

[0065] Also, the effect of wavelength - selectively shifting the reflection direction of the dichroic mirror 151 (SPBS 151) extends to the wavelength band of the spectral light on the longer - wavelength side than the filtering wavelength λsc and the entire light beam. Therefore, although Δi and Δf have been described using the central optical paths of the respective light beams of the two spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 with different excitation wavelengths S, any optical path within such a light beam is equivalent to the central optical path. Also, although Δi and Δf have been described using the wavenumber shift w1 of the two spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 with different excitation wavelengths S, any wavelength corresponding to a wavenumber within such a target identification band TRD can be cut out and represented, and it is equivalent to the wavenumber shift w1. That is, in the spectral lights 290S and 290L, the central optical path and the wavenumber shift w1 are represented instead of other optical paths and other wavenumber shifts for the purpose of simplifying the explanation.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), the effect of improving the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit 170 of the identification device 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0067] FIG. 3(a) shows the mode in which the spectral light 290S(L) is projected as the spectral image 280S(L) onto the effective imaging region 171 of the imaging unit 170 through the optical system of the present embodiment, and the schematic configuration of the imaging unit 170. FIG. 3(b) shows the target identification band TRD and the wavenumber shift w12000 cm -1 corresponding to the wavelengths of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1. FIG. 3(c) is a diagram showing the projection positions of the spectral lights 290S_w1 and 290L_w1 on the imaging unit 170 in the mode in which the SPBS 151 according to the present embodiment is arranged. FIG. 3(d) is a diagram showing the projection positions of the spectral lights 290Sc_w1 and 290Lc_w1 on the imaging unit 170 in an identification device according to a reference mode equivalent to the first embodiment except that the SPBS 151 is not arranged. In FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d), the projection positions on the imaging unit 170 are indicated by the element numbers in the row direction (172r). It can be said that FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the excitation wavelength dependence of the spectral linewidth wavelengths corresponding to a specific wavenumber shift. FIGS. 3(c) and (d) can be said to be diagrams (c) and (d) showing the projection positions of the spectral images of the first embodiment and the reference mode corresponding to the presence or absence of the dichroic mirror 150.

[0068] The identification device 1000 including the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(c), acquires the spectral images 280S and 280L corresponding to the excitation lights λS and λL using 1024 elements from the first element to the 1024th element for the target identification band TRD. On the other hand, an identification device (not shown) according to a reference mode that does not include the dichroic mirror 151 requires 3294 elements from the 269th element to the 3562nd element for the target identification band TRD in order to acquire the spectral images 280Sc and 280Lc. That is, it can be understood that the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit 170 of the identification device 1000 according to the present embodiment is improved by 3.29 times compared to the identification device of the reference mode.

[0069] Also, similar to the aforementioned target identification band TRD, the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit 170 can be improved at a specific wave shift w1. The identification device 1000 including the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3(c), for the wave shift w1 (2000 cm -1 ), the difference in the projection positions of the spectral images 280S and 280L corresponding to the excitation lights λS and λL requires 142 elements. On the other hand, an identification device (not shown) according to a reference form without the dichroic mirror 151 requires 2398 elements for the difference in the projection positions of the spectral images 280Sc and 280Lc corresponding to the excitation lights λS and λL for the wave shift w1 (2000 cm -1 ). That is, it can be understood that the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit 170 of the identification device 1000 according to the present embodiment is clearly improved compared to the identification device of the reference form.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 2(c), the spectral images 280S and 280L are projected such that at least a part of them overlaps in the column direction 172c of the imaging unit 170. From the viewpoint of effective utilization of the imaging unit 170, it is preferable that they are parallel to each other along the row direction 172r and are projected such that the overlap in the column direction 172c is larger. Further, it is more preferable that at least one of them overlaps so as to include the other in the column direction 172c.

[0071] Note that the combination of the dichroic mirror 151 and the mirror 152 of the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 of the present embodiment can also be configured by a long-pass beam splitter and other mirrors.

[0072] (Imaging unit) The imaging unit 170 employs an imaging device such as a CMOS or a CCD in which light receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged. The plurality of light receiving elements 350 of the imaging unit 170 of the present embodiment are arranged in a matrix. In the case of a delta array or the like, the row direction and the column direction are associated with the directions of two of the three axes, or are associated with one of the three axes and the combined direction obtained by combining the remaining two axes.

[0073] Here, the identification device 1000 identifies the properties of the specimen 900i while transporting the specimen 900i by the transport unit 200, and discriminates the specimen 900i by the discrimination device 300 described later according to the identification result. Therefore, in order to increase the throughput of the sorting process by the identification device 1000, it is preferable to increase the transport speed vc of the transport unit 200. The spectral images 280S and 280L projected on the imaging unit 170 are due to Raman scattered light generated from the specimen 900i moving on the transport surface 201. Therefore, the spectral images 280S and 280L can be formed on the imaging unit 170 while the transported specimen 900i is present in the irradiation regions of the irradiation lights (focused lights) 220S and 220L from the irradiation units 22S and 22L. For example, when the transport speed vc by the transport unit 200 is 2 m / s and the length of the specimen 900i in the transport direction dc is 10 mm, the maximum time for the imaging unit 170 to detect the spectral image formed by the Raman scattered light generated from the specimen 900i is 5 milliseconds. At this time, depending on the relationship between the arrangement interval of the irradiation units 22S and 22L in the transport direction dc and the length of the specimen 900i, the specimen 900i may straddle the irradiation regions of both the irradiation lights 220S and 220L. Only one of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L irradiates the specimen 900i at any given time. Therefore, when both the spectral images 280S and 280L are to be acquired, the detectable time for each is shorter than 5 milliseconds. Thus, as the imaging unit 170, a device capable of continuous shooting at a high frame rate is required. For example, in the above example, it is desirable to be 400 fps or more. Examples of such an imaging unit with a high frame rate include a CMOS image sensor. Therefore, as the imaging unit 170, a CMOS image sensor is preferable.

[0074] Also, as described above, since the intensity of the Raman scattered light generated from the specimen 900i is extremely weak, the intensity of the light incident on each element of the light receiving element 350 of the imaging unit 170 is also extremely weak. Therefore, it is preferable to use an imaging unit 170 having high sensitivity in each wave number region of the spectral images 280S and 280L. Generally, a rolling shutter type image sensor has a simpler pixel structure, a higher aperture ratio, and a larger photoelectric conversion element than a global shutter type image sensor, so that the sensitivity and the dynamic range can be increased. Further, since the pixel structure is simple, the rolling shutter type image sensor also has an advantage of being lower in cost than the global shutter type image sensor. For these reasons, in the present embodiment, a rolling shutter type CMOS image sensor is used as the imaging unit 170.

[0075] The imaging unit 170 can employ a rolling reset type image sensor that sequentially performs a reset operation for each row in which the light receiving elements 350 are arranged. Thereby, the exposure time of each row in which the light receiving elements 350 are arranged can be made as long as possible, and the sensitivity can be increased.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the imaging unit 170 of the present embodiment has a crop read function that performs a read operation for a specific row in the light receiving unit 171 in which the light receiving elements 350 are two-dimensionally arranged in the row direction 172r and the column direction 172c. Thereby, when it is detected that the specimen 900i has reached the light collection possible region of the light collection unit 20 by using the form information Fi from the pre-information acquisition unit 70 described later, it is possible to perform a read operation for a specific row in the light receiving unit 171 corresponding to the light collection unit 20.

[0077] In Fig. 2(c), the imaging unit 170 includes a readout circuit 173, a horizontal scanning circuit 174, a vertical scanning circuit 175, and an output circuit 176, and sequentially reads signals from a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix row by row. The vertical scanning circuit 175 selects and drives an arbitrary row in the light receiving unit 171. The readout circuit 173 reads the signals output from the pixels in the row selected by the vertical scanning circuit 175 and transfers them to the output circuit 176 according to the control of the horizontal scanning circuit 174. Thereby, reading in the main scanning direction (row direction) is performed. Also, the row selected by the vertical scanning circuit 175 is shifted, and the readout circuit 173 performs reading in the main scanning direction according to the control of the horizontal scanning circuit 174. By repeating this and shifting the selected row in the sub-scanning direction (column direction), signals can be read from the entire light receiving unit 171. The read signals are output as output signals to the material information reference unit 180 located outside the imaging unit 170 through the output terminal 177 of the output circuit 176. At this time, the scanning in the main scanning direction is performed at high speed, but the scanning in the sub-scanning direction is slower than the scanning in the main scanning direction.

[0078] The imaging unit 170 acquires the spectral information Si of the specimen 900i in consideration of the captured spectral image 280S or 280L, the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the imaging element included in the imaging unit 170, the transmission characteristics of the optical system, etc. Further, the imaging unit 170 may also acquire polarization information including circular dichroism and optical rotation dispersion.

[0079] The emission end 193, the spectroscopic unit 150, the imaging lens 160, and the imaging unit 170 are housed in a light-shielding container 295 to reduce the influence of noise light from the background and the leakage of laser light outside the apparatus.

[0080] (Material Information Reference Unit) Based on the spectral information Si acquired by the spectral image acquisition unit 10, the spectral information acquisition unit 100 has a material information reference unit 180 that acquires the material information Mi of the specimen 900i. The material information reference unit 180 refers to a material database (not shown) in which reference data regarding Raman scattered light is recorded, and acquires the material information Mi in which the material contained in the specimen 900i is identified based on the similarity between the spectral information Si and the reference data. The material information reference unit 180 of the present embodiment preferably includes the intensity information of the light 290S_w1 or 290L_w1 having a specific wave number shift w1 as illustrated in FIG. 3(b) in the spectral information Si used for calculating the similarity. The spectral information acquisition unit 100 stores at least one of the spectral information Si and the material information Mi in the first storage unit 60 via a command unit 40 described later.

[0081] Also, the material database referred to by the material information reference unit 180 may be recorded in a local server provided in the identification device 1000, or may be a remote server accessible via the Internet or an intranet. The information regarding a predetermined molecular bond accommodated in the material database 180 includes information regarding the natural vibration frequency of such a molecular bond.

[0082] In the above manner, the spectral information acquisition unit 100 can acquire the material information Mi such as the material, additive, and mixed impurity components contained in the specimen 900i.

[0083] (Pre-information acquisition unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the pre-information acquisition unit 70 includes a camera 76 arranged so as to overlap the imaging field 700 on the transport unit 200, and an image processing unit 78 that performs image processing on the specimen image captured by the camera 76. Using these, the pre-information acquisition unit 70 acquires the morphological information Fi and the color information Ci of the specimen 900i as pre-information for spectral measurement in the spectral information acquisition unit 100, in other words, pre-information for the spectral information Si and the material information Mi of the specimen 900i. Similar to the material information Mi, the morphological information Fi and the color information Ci are information regarding the properties of the specimen 900i.

[0084] The image processing unit 78 performs image processing such as calculation of each component of the color space, shading processing, and contour extraction, and obtains, as the morphological information Fi, the length, shape, mixing degree of materials, etc. in the transport direction dc of the specimen 900i, and also obtains, as the color information Ci, brightness, saturation, hue, fluorescence intensity, etc. The image processing unit 78 may be paraphrased as an element that performs processing for obtaining the size and color-related information for each specimen 900i. The pre-information acquisition unit 70 stores at least one of the morphological information Fi and the color information Ci in the third storage unit 90 via the command unit 40 described later.

[0085] The pre-information acquisition unit 70 can use, as the camera 76, a monochrome camera, a color camera, a multispectral camera, or a hyperspectral camera. In addition, it may be provided with lighting devices such as a black light, LEDs of various colors, a fluorescent lamp, and an incandescent bulb. Instead of the camera 76, the pre-information acquisition unit 70 can be provided with a photointerrupter or a laser interferometer mainly for obtaining the morphological information Fi, and a photodiode mainly for obtaining the color information.

[0086] Also, the pre-information acquisition unit 70 can be included in the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100. In that case, the light collection units 27S and 27L and the image information acquisition unit 10 serve as alternatives to the camera 76 and the image processing unit 78. By adding the function of the image processing unit 78 to the imaging unit 170, at least one of the color information Ci and the morphological information Fi of the specimen 900i is obtained, and a command for controlling the light emission of the light source 25 is generated via the command unit 40. The spectroscopic information Si is obtained using the light of the generated excitation wavelength.

[0087] Note that the pre-information acquisition unit 70 is an element that is selectively employed as needed in the identification device 1000 and may be omitted.

[0088] (Acquisition unit) As shown in FIG. 1, acquisition unit 30 acquires identification information Di indicating whether the specimen 900i is a target specimen or a non-target specimen for each specimen 900i based on the material information Mi or spectral information Si acquired by spectral information acquisition unit 100, the form information Fi and color information Ci acquired by pre-information acquisition unit 70. Acquisition unit 30 outputs the acquired identification information Di to command unit 40.

[0089] It can be said that acquisition unit 30 identifies the properties of specimen 900i based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light contained in the secondary light collected by light collection units 20S and 20L. Also, it can be said that acquisition unit 30 of the present embodiment identifies the properties of each specimen 900i based on the specimen image acquired from camera 76 and the spectrum of the Raman scattered light contained in the secondary light collected by light collection unit 20.

[0090] (Control Unit) Identification device 100 includes a control unit 400 that controls discrimination device 300 and light source 25. Control unit 400 includes a command unit 40 that controls the discrimination operation of discrimination device 300 based on the properties of each specimen 900i, and a second storage unit 80 that stores the control conditions for the discrimination operation. Command unit 40 further controls the light emission of light source 25 based on the pre-information for each specimen 900i. Therefore, control unit 400 includes a third storage unit 90 that stores the control conditions for the light emission of light source 25. Note that the third storage unit 90 is an element associated with pre-information acquisition unit 70, that is, an element that is selectively adopted as necessary, and may be omitted in identification device 1000. Control unit 400 includes a display unit 140 that provides a GUI through which a user can specify control conditions. Display unit 140 may display the information acquired by acquisition unit 30.

[0091] (Storage Unit) First storage unit 60 is configured to store, for each specimen 900i, the identification information Di, the material information Mi, the spectral information Si, the form information Fi, and the color information Ci, in association with the times ti_S and ti_L when the specimen 900i passed through the irradiation regions of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L.

[0092] The second storage unit 80 is configured to store, for each specimen 900i, control conditions (in other words, the correspondence relationship between the two) for controlling the intensity Is of the discrimination operation of the discrimination device 300 corresponding to the identification information Di.

[0093] The third storage unit 90 is configured to store, for each specimen 900i, control conditions (in other words, the correspondence relationship between the two) for controlling the wavelength and intensity of the light generated by the light source 25 and their switching patterns corresponding to the color information Ci and the form information Fi. As an example of this control condition, when the brightness of the color information Ci is less than the threshold value, the excitation light S emits at a higher intensity than the excitation light L, and when it is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the excitation light L emits at a lower intensity than the excitation light S. As another example, when the fluorescence intensity of the color information Ci is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the excitation light L emits, and when it is less than the threshold value, the excitation light S emits. As another example, when the hue of the color information Ci indicates a cool color system value, the excitation light S emits, and when the hue indicates a warm color system value, the excitation light L emits, and so on.

[0094] Furthermore, in an example where the wavelength and intensity of the light are switched at least once while the specimen 900i passes through the irradiation region, when the brightness is higher than the threshold value, first the excitation light L emits for a long time, and then the excitation light S emits for a short time. On the other hand, when it is lower than the threshold value, first the excitation light S emits for a long time, and then the excitation light L emits for a short time. As another example, when the brightness is intermediate and the saturation indicates a low value, the intensity is gradually increased while alternately switching the excitation light S and the excitation light L, and so on.

[0095] Note that the control conditions in the second and third storage units 80 and 90 include forms such as a referable table, a general formula expressed algebraically, and statistically learned information.

[0096] (Command unit) The instruction unit 40 estimates the time when the specimen 900i passes through the area to be discriminated by the discrimination device 300 in consideration of the material and size of the specimen 900i according to the identification information Di sent from the acquisition unit 30, and generates a command to control the discrimination operation of the discrimination device 300. The passing time of the discrimination processing area of the specimen 900i can be estimated based on at least any one of the form information Fi from the pre-information acquisition unit 70, the signal from the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100, the specimen sensor (not shown) provided in the transport unit 200, or the signal from the transport speed sensor (not shown).

[0097] The command unit 40 also generates a command to control the light emission of the light source 25 so that light having an appropriate excitation wavelength and intensity is irradiated to the specimen 900i at an appropriate timing according to the form information Fi and color information Ci sent from the pre-information acquisition unit 70. Regarding the timing of light emission, the command unit 40 estimates the time when the specimen 900i passes through the irradiation areas of the irradiation lights 220S and 220L based on the form information Fi, the specimen sensor provided in the transport unit 200, or the signal from the transport speed sensor. Regarding the wavelength and intensity of light emission, the command unit 40 refers to the control conditions stored in the third storage unit 90 to determine the excitation wavelength and intensity corresponding to the color information Ci and form information Fi, and their switching patterns. The command 40 may generate a command to control the light emission of the light source 25 in synchronization with the reset operation of the imaging unit 170.

[0098] Note that the command unit 40 can generate a command to control the light emission of the light source 25 even when the pre-information acquisition unit 70 and the third storage unit 90 are not adopted in the identification device 1000. As an example, there may be a case where a command to alternately emit the excitation light S and the excitation light L periodically (for example, in synchronization with the reset operation of the imaging unit 170) is generated regardless of the pre-information.

[0099] (Discrimination device) As shown in FIG. 1, the discrimination device 300 includes an air nozzle 330 for discharging compressed air at a predetermined discharge time, discharge speed, and discharge flow rate, and a discrimination control unit 340 for controlling a solenoid valve (not shown) provided in the air nozzle 330. The discrimination control unit 340 receives a control signal from the command unit 40 of the identification device 100. The discrimination operation of the discrimination device 300 of the present embodiment includes an operation of discharging a fluid. The fluid for the discharge operation includes air, dry nitrogen, inert gases such as rare gases, liquids, gas-liquid mixed fluids (aerosols), and the like. The discrimination device 300 recovers the specimen 900i into the target recovery basket 620, the non-target recovery basket 600, and the non-target recovery basket 640 according to the properties of the specimen 900i based on the control signal commanded from the command unit 40.

[0100] Note that the discharge device for discharging the fluid of the discrimination device 300 can be replaced with a flap gate that opens and closes at a predetermined angular velocity, a shutter that opens and closes at a predetermined speed, or the like. Further, the pre-information acquisition unit 70, the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100, the discrimination device 300, and their components constituting the identification device 1000 can be arranged in parallel at different positions in the transport width direction of the transport unit 200 to achieve system integration and high-speed processing. The discrimination device 300 may be regarded as an element of the identification device 1000 and may be referred to as the discrimination unit 300.

[0101] (Transport unit) The transport unit 200 is a transport unit that transports a plurality of specimens 900i (i = 1, 2,...) sequentially supplied from the feeder 500 in the transport direction dc (the x direction in FIG. 1) at a predetermined transport speed vc. The transport unit 200 constitutes a transport unit that transports the specimen 900i together with the feeder 500.

[0102] The transport unit 200 of the present embodiment has a conveyor belt that transports the specimen 900i supplied from the feeder 500 in the transport direction dc at a speed vc and transports it linearly on the transport surface 201. As a deformed form, the transport unit 200 can be replaced with a turntable-type feeder that transports the specimen outward in a spiral shape, a vibration-type feeder provided with a vibrator that moves in a predetermined direction, a conveyor roller composed of a plurality of rollers, or the like.

[0103] The transport unit 200 may be regarded as the placement unit for the pre-information acquisition unit 70 in order to move the specimen 900i so that the specimen 900i passes through the imaging field 700 of the camera 76. Similarly, the transport unit 200 may be regarded as the placement unit for the light collection units 20S and 20L in order to move the specimen 900i so that the specimen 900i passes through the effective light collection region of the light collection unit 20. Similarly, the transport unit 200 may be regarded as the placement unit for the irradiation units 22S and 22L in order to move the specimen 900i so that the specimen 900i passes through the irradiated region from the irradiation units 22S and 22L.

[0104] In this embodiment, for the transport speed vc of the transport unit 200, in the case of a conveyor belt, 0.1 to 5 m / s can be applied.

[0105] Also, when a classification process for filtering the shape and size of the specimen 900i is performed as a pretreatment in the supply process of the feeder 500, it becomes a modified form of the identification method using the identification device 1000 of this embodiment. As means for performing the classification process, a vibrating conveyor, a vibrating sieve, a crushing granule conditioner, etc. are used. Also, when a color separation process for filtering or separating the color of the specimen 900i is performed as a pretreatment in the supply process of the feeder 500, it becomes a modified form of the identification method using the identification device 1000. As means for performing the color separation process, a color sorter, etc. are used.

[0106] As described above, according to the identification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the projection positions of the spectral spectra corresponding to the irradiation lights of different excitation wavelengths are brought closer, and the utilization efficiency of the components including the imaging unit is increased.

[0107] <Second Embodiment> The identification device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4(a), (b), and (c). FIG. 4(a) is a detailed view showing the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the mirror 152, the spectroscopic unit, and the imaging lens in order to show the effect of the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4(c) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the imaging lens 160 and the imaging unit 170 in order to show the effect of the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) to (c), the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10a according to the present embodiment has a dichroic mirror 151 and a mirror 152 disposed between the collimating lens 110 and the spectroscopic unit 150 on the optical paths of the scattered lights 240S and 240L, respectively. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to (c), the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10a has a dichroic mirror 151 and a mirror 152 disposed between the light emitting unit 193 and the spectroscopic unit 150 on the optical paths of the scattered lights 240S and 240L, respectively. In this regard, it is different from the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 according to the first embodiment in which the dichroic mirror 151 and the mirror 152 are disposed on the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S and 290L between the spectroscopic unit 150 and the imaging lens 160.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 4(c), the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10a includes a light guiding unit 191 including an emission end 193 that emits the secondary light guided from the light collection units 20S and 20L toward the spectroscopic unit 150, and a dichroic mirror 151 disposed in the section from the emission end 193 to the imaging unit 170. Further, the dichroic mirror 151 of the present embodiment is located between the emission end 193 and the spectroscopic unit 150, and reflects one of the scattered lights 240S and 240L, i.e., 240L, so that the optical paths of the different scattered lights 240S and 240L corresponding to different excitation wavelengths S approach each other.

[0110] The spectroscopic unit 150 spectrally separates the secondary lights 240S and 240L collected by the light collection units 20S and 20L, respectively, and projects the spectral spectra 290S and 290L onto the imaging unit 170 via the dichroic mirror 151, the mirror 152, and the imaging lens 160, respectively.

[0111] The spectroscopic spectra 290S and 290L are projected onto the light receiving elements along the row direction array 172r included in the effective imaging region of the imaging unit 170. The imaging unit 170 receives the projected spectroscopic spectra 290S and 290L by the light receiving element array arranged in the row direction 172r that the imaging unit 170 has, and acquires spectral images 280S and 280L respectively. That is, the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 included in the identification device 1000 of the present embodiment shares the components of the optical system other than the mirror 152 and the dichroic mirror 151 with the irradiation lights 220S and 220L and the secondary lights 240S and 240L corresponding to different excitation wavelengths λS and λL.

[0112] In the present embodiment, the dichroic mirror 151 and the mirror 152 are arranged on the optical path from the collimating lens 110 to the spectroscopic unit 150 including the diffraction grating so as to exhibit the following optical actions.

[0113] The irradiation lights 220S and 220L corresponding to the switched excitation light S have their reflection optical axes selectively defined by the mirror 152 and the dichroic mirror 151. When the dichroic mirror 151 is inserted on the incident surface and the reflection surface side of the mirror 152 as compared with the case where the dichroic mirror 151 is not inserted, the distance optical paths between the projection positions that are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength S approach each other. In other words, the dichroic mirror 151 is arranged to be inclined by a predetermined angle θc from the mirror 152 in front of the incident surface and the reflection surface of the mirror 152 so that the distance optical paths between the projection positions that are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength approach each other.

[0114] For example, let Δf be the distance between the projection positions on the imaging unit 170 of the spectral lights 290S and 290L corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift w1 (Raman shift), which are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength S (457 nm, 633 nm). The predetermined wave number shift w1 is arbitrarily selected from the target identification range, and in the present embodiment, it represents 2000 cm -1 is representative.

[0115] Further, let the optical path distance by which the optical paths through which the spectral lights 290S and 290L corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift w1 pass through the imaging lens 160 are displaced as the excitation wavelength S is switched be Δi.

[0116] The identification device of the present embodiment is configured such that the distance Δf between the projection positions on the imaging unit 170, which is caused by the difference in the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S and 290L as the excitation wavelength S is switched, is shorter than the optical path distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160. The effect of making Δf < Δi can be clearly read from FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c). That is, the spectral light 290S(L)_w1 spectroscopically split by the spectroscopic unit 150 corresponding to the wave number shift w1 is reflected by each of the mirrors 152 and 151 so that the distance Δf between the positions projected onto the imaging unit 170 is shorter than the distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160. The target identification band TRD is 1600 to 3100 cm -1 Although it is set as such, an equivalent effect can be obtained even if another band is selected.

[0117] Further, the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10a also takes an arrangement in which the incident angles of the secondary lights 240S and 240L incident on the spectroscopic unit 150 are different from each other, so that the spectroscopic efficiency of each of the scattered lights 240S and 240L may be improved as compared with the first embodiment.

[0118] Also in the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10a included in the identification device of the present embodiment, similar to the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 according to the first embodiment, the projection positions of the spectroscopic spectra corresponding to the irradiation lights of different excitation wavelengths are brought closer, and the utilization efficiency of the components including the imaging unit is increased. That is, also in the identification device of the present embodiment, similar to the identification device 1000 according to the first embodiment, the projection positions of the spectroscopic spectra corresponding to the irradiation lights of different excitation wavelengths are brought closer, and the utilization efficiency of the components including the imaging unit is increased.

[0119] <Third Embodiment> The identification device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c). FIG. 5(a) is a detailed diagram showing the schematic configuration of the spectral image acquisition unit 10b included in the spectral information acquisition unit of the identification device of the present embodiment. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram for explaining the optical axes of the plurality of emission units 193S and 193L according to the features of the present embodiment with respect to the spectroscopic unit 150. FIG. 5(c) is a diagram for explaining the optical axes on which the spectral light from the plurality of emission units 193S and 193L according to the features of the present embodiment forms an image on the imaging unit 170 after passing through the spectroscopic unit 150.

[0120] (Spectral Image Acquisition Unit) Similar to the spectral image acquisition unit 10, the spectral image acquisition unit 10b of the present embodiment includes irradiation units 22S and 22L that irradiate light from the light source 25 toward the placement unit 200 on which the specimen 900i is placed on different optical paths 220S and 220L at different times corresponding to different excitation wavelengths S. Further, the irradiation units 22S and 22L include a plurality of irradiation ends 260S and 260L (objective lenses) corresponding to different excitation wavelengths S.

[0121] Furthermore, the spectral image acquisition unit 10b has a plurality of light collection ends 260S and 260L (objective lenses) that respectively collect the light collected from different optical paths by the light collection units 20S and 20L. It can be said that the irradiation ends 260S and 260L and the light collection ends 260S and 260L share the objective lens for each excitation wavelength.

[0122] In addition, the spectral image acquisition unit 10b includes light guide units 191S and 191L having a plurality of emission ends 193S and 193L that emit the light guided from the plurality of light collection ends 260S and 260L toward the spectroscopic unit 150 corresponding to the plurality of light collection ends 260S and 260L. A pair of the plurality of emission ends 193S and 193L are arranged at different positions along the surface where the diffraction angle of the spectral light of the spectroscopic unit 150 changes.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), in the identification device of the present embodiment, the distance Δf between the projection positions on the imaging unit 170, which is caused by the change in the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S and 290L respectively with the switching of the excitation wavelength S, is made closer compared to the form without multiple emission units. The distance Δf between the projection positions on the imaging unit 170, which is caused by the change in the optical paths of the spectral lights 290S and 290L respectively with the switching of the excitation wavelength S, is configured to be shorter than the distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160. That is, the spectral light 290S(L)_w1 spectroscopically separated by the spectroscopic unit 150 corresponding to the wavenumber shift w1 is reflected by each of the mirrors 152 and 151 so that the distance Δf between the positions projected onto the imaging unit 170 is shorter than the distance Δi between the optical paths passing through the imaging lens 160. The target identification band TRD is 1600 to 3100 cm -1 Although it is set as such, equivalent effects can be obtained even if other bands are selected.

[0124] Note that the arrangements of the emission ends 193S and 193L of the optical fibers 190L and 190S of the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10b are different not only in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis 111 of the collimating lens 110 but also in the direction parallel to the optical axis 111 as shown in FIG. 6(b). The emission end 193S of the optical fiber 190S is arranged closer to the collimating lens 110 by a distance δv compared to the emission end 193L of the optical fiber 190L. Thereby, the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10b of the present embodiment can correct the axial chromatic aberration caused by the optical system after the collimating lens 110. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the deviation (focus position deviation) in the focus position in the direction of the optical axis 161 of the imaging lens 160 between the spectral images 280S and 280L. That is, it becomes possible to reduce the decrease in the wavenumber resolution between the spectral images 280S and 280L.

[0125] <Fourth Embodiment> The identification device according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6(a) is a detailed view showing the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10c according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the light receiving element numbers arranged in the row direction 172r of the imaging unit 170 and the wave numbers of the spectral images projected along the row direction 172r.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10c according to the present embodiment is different from the spectroscopic image acquisition units 10 and 10a according to the first and second embodiments in that a dichroic mirror 151 and a mirror 152 are provided between the imaging lens 160 and the imaging unit 170. The spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10c according to the present embodiment can be regarded as a modified form of the spectroscopic image acquisition units 10 and 10a according to the first and second embodiments.

[0127] In the present embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, the dichroic mirror 151 can improve the utilization efficiency of the imaging unit 170.

[0128] <Fifth Embodiment> The identification device according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). FIG. 7(a) is a diagram illustrating the main part of the identification device 2000 of the present embodiment, namely, the transport unit 200 and a plurality of transport tracks TR-p, (p = 1 to 4). FIG. 7(a) corresponds to a diagram in which the light collection unit and the discrimination device of the identification device 2000 are projected with the plane A-A' of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment to FIG. 4 of the third embodiment as the projection plane. The cross-section B-B' of FIG. 7(a) corresponds to the schematic configuration diagram of FIG. 1.

[0129] (Identification Device) The identification device 2000 shown in Fig. 7(a) has four each of the imaging field 700-p of the camera 76, the condensing spots 220S-p and 220L-p of the irradiation light from the irradiation units 22S-p and 22L-p, and the air nozzles 330-p arranged in the conveyance width direction dw. The irradiation light may be referred to as primary light. The air nozzle 330-p is a component of the discrimination device 300. The identification device 2000 is a multi-row identification device in which a plurality of units for identification are arranged in parallel at different positions in the conveyance width direction dw intersecting the conveyance direction dc. In the identification devices 2000 compared with the identification devices 1000 and 1100, system integration and parallelization of the identification process are performed.

[0130] The identification device 2000 includes four conveyance tracks TR-p defined by the supply regions 550-p from the feeders 500-p (p = 1 to 4). Corresponding to each track TR-p (p = 1 to 4), the imaging field 700-p, the condensing spots 220S-p and 220L-p of the irradiation light, and the air nozzle 330-p are arranged in series. In each of the conveyance tracks TR-p, the condensing spots 220S-p and 220L-p of the irradiation light are not formed (not irradiated) on the specimen at the same time.

[0131] In the multi-row arrangement of the identification device, the elements arranged at different positions in the conveyance width direction dw of the conveyance unit 200 may be arranged independently or in an array. The identification device 2000 may include, for example, a feeder 500A with an arrayed supply port and a multi-discrimination device 300MN with multi-nozzled air nozzles 300-p.

[0132] In the present embodiment, secondary light 240S and 240L-p (not shown) is collected from the condensing spots 220S-p and 220L-p of the irradiation light corresponding to the transport tracks TR-p (p = 1 to 4). Then, it is guided to the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 through a plurality of optical fibers 190S-p and 190L-p (not shown) provided corresponding to the transport tracks TR-p. The collimating lens 110, spectroscopic unit 150, dichroic mirror 151, mirror 152, imaging lens 160, and imaging unit 170 of the spectroscopic image acquisition unit 10 are shared by the plurality of secondary lights 240S and 240L-p, that is, by the plurality of transport tracks TR-p. Therefore, these elements are arranged as one in the identification device 2000. On the other hand, the couplers 195-p and optical fibers 191-p (not shown) are arranged corresponding to each of the transport tracks TR-p.

[0133] The emission ends 192-p (p = 1 to 4) of the plurality of optical fibers 191-p (p = 1 to 4) in the present embodiment form an emission end array arranged at predetermined intervals in the γ-axis direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) in FIG. 2(b) (not shown). This emission end array is arranged at the position of the emission end 192 of the optical fiber 191 in FIG. 2(b). With such an arrangement, the spectral images 280S-p and 280L-p corresponding to the transport track TR-p are projected side by side at predetermined intervals in the column direction 172c in the imaging unit 170 as shown in FIG. 7(b). On the other hand, regarding the row direction 172r, the relationship between the wavenumber shift of the spectral images 280S-p and 280L-p and the light receiving element numbers in the row direction 172r of the imaging unit 170 is the same as that in FIG. 2(e). That is, Equation 2 is satisfied at a specific wavenumber shift w1-p (p = 1 to 4).

[0134] That is, in the identification device 2000, in each transport track TR-P, the distance Δf between the projection positions on the imaging unit 170 of the spectral light corresponding to a predetermined wavenumber shift is shorter than the optical path distance Δi between the optical paths through which the spectral light corresponding to the predetermined wavenumber shift passes through the imaging lens 160. That is, the identification device 2000 according to the fourth embodiment has a higher utilization efficiency of the imaging unit 170 than the identification device 1000 because the imaging unit 170 is shared and parallelized.

[0135] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the spectral images 280S-p and 280L-p corresponding to the respective transport tracks TR-p are projected so that at least a part thereof overlaps in the row direction 172c of the imaging unit 170, similar to the first embodiment. From the viewpoint of effective utilization of the imaging unit 170, it is preferable that both are parallel to each other along the row direction 172r and projected so that the overlap in the column direction 172c becomes larger. Further, it is more preferable that they overlap so that at least one of them includes the other in the column direction 172c. Note that, in each transport track TR-p, only one of the secondary lights 240S-p and 240L-p is collected at the same time, so only one of the spectral images 280S-p and 280L-p is projected onto the imaging unit 170.

Explanation of Signs

[0136] 20, 20S, 20L Light collection unit 22, 22S, 22L Irradiation unit 150 Spectral splitting unit 160, 160a Imaging lens 170 Imaging unit 1000 Identification device

Claims

1. An irradiation unit optically coupled to a light source capable of generating light having different excitation wavelengths and irradiating the light toward a specimen; a light collection unit that collects scattered light from the specimen irradiated with the light; a spectroscopic unit that disperses the scattered light from the light collection unit; an imaging lens arranged so that spectral light dispersed by the spectroscopic unit passes therethrough; and an imaging unit that images the spectral light projected through the imaging lens to obtain a spectral image, wherein: The distance between the projection positions of the spectral light corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift in the imaging unit, which displacement occurs with the switching of the excitation wavelength, is shorter than the distance between the optical paths through which the spectral light corresponding to the predetermined wave number shift passes through the imaging lens and which displacement occurs with the switching of the excitation wavelength, and each of the spectral lights corresponding to the predetermined wave number shift is projected onto the imaging unit. A discrimination device characterized by this.

2. The discrimination device according to claim 1, further comprising a light guiding unit having an emission end that emits the light guided from the light collection unit toward the spectroscopic unit, and further comprising a dichroic mirror arranged in a section from the emission end to the imaging unit.

3. The discrimination device according to claim 2, wherein the dichroic mirror is located between the spectroscopic unit and the imaging lens, and reflects one of the spectral lights so that the optical paths of the different spectral lights corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths approach each other.

4. The discrimination device according to claim 2, wherein the dichroic mirror is located between the emission end and the spectroscopic unit, and reflects one of the scattered lights so that the optical paths of the different scattered lights corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths move away from each other.

5. The irradiation unit irradiates the light from the light source toward a placement unit on which the specimen is placed at different optical paths at different times corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths, and the light collection unit has a plurality of light collection ends that respectively collect the light collected corresponding to the different optical paths. The discrimination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the irradiation unit includes a plurality of irradiation ends corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths.

6. The irradiation unit irradiates light from the light source toward the placement unit on which the specimen is placed in different optical paths at different times corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths, and the light collection unit has a plurality of light collection ends that respectively collect the light collected corresponding to the different optical paths. The apparatus further includes a light guide unit having a plurality of emission ends that emit the light guided from the plurality of light collection ends toward the spectroscopic unit corresponding to the plurality of light collection ends. The identification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the plurality of emission ends are arranged at different positions along a plane in which the diffraction angle of the spectral light changes.

7. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the emission end, the spectroscopic unit, the imaging lens, and the imaging unit are housed in a light-shielding container.

8. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the light source.

9. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a lens with positive power arranged between the emission end and the spectroscopic unit.

10. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the properties of the specimen based on the spectral image.

11. The identification apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the wavelengths corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths are wavelengths corresponding to a predetermined property of the specimen.

12. The identification apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined property includes information regarding a predetermined molecular bond.

13. The identification apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information regarding the predetermined molecular bond includes the natural vibration frequency of the predetermined molecular bond.

14. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wavelengths corresponding to the different excitation wavelengths are wavelengths corresponding to the wave number shift of the scattered light with respect to the light from the irradiation unit.

15. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the light collection unit collects Raman scattered light of the specimen.

16. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the spectroscopic unit includes a diffraction grating.

17. The identification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the imaging unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements.

18. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a placement unit for placing the specimen in an irradiated area irradiated with irradiation light from the irradiation unit.

19. The identification device according to claim 18, wherein the placement unit includes a transport unit that moves the specimen in a predetermined direction.

20. An identification method for identifying a specimen using an identification device, comprising: an irradiation step of optically coupling to a light source capable of generating light having different excitation wavelengths and switching the light to irradiate the specimen; a light collection step of collecting scattered light from the specimen irradiated with the light; comprising the identification device a spectroscopic unit that spectroscopically analyzes the scattered light collected in the light collection step, an imaging lens arranged so that the spectral light spectroscopically analyzed by the spectroscopic unit passes therethrough, and an imaging unit that images the spectral light projected through the imaging lens to obtain a spectral image; The distance between the projection positions at which the projection positions of the spectral light corresponding to a predetermined wave number shift are displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength in the imaging unit is shorter than the distance between the optical paths at which the optical path of the spectral light corresponding to the predetermined wave number shift passing through the imaging lens is displaced with the switching of the excitation wavelength. Each of the spectral lights corresponding to the predetermined wave number shift is projected onto the imaging unit.

21. The identification method according to claim 20, further comprising a supply step of supplying the specimen to the identification device.

22. The identification method according to claim 21, wherein the supply step includes a process of classifying at least one of the shape, size, and color of the specimen.

Images