Identification device

Abstract

To provide an identification device capable of accurately acquiring a spectroscopic spectrum without reducing the operating rate even in the presence of wavelength fluctuation of excitation light from a light source.SOLUTION: An identification device designed to identify nature of a sample on the basis of a spectrum image is provided, the device comprising an image capturing unit configured to acquire a spectrum image by capturing a spectroscopic spectrum obtained by a spectroscopic unit, and a correction unit configured to correct information on wavenumber shift corresponding to the spectrum image on the basis of wavelength information on a primary light wavelength.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an identification device for identifying a specimen. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, interest in environmental issues has grown, and methods have been proposed for identifying and sorting the types of resin materials produced, for example, from discarded automobiles and discarded home appliances. The type of specimen can be identified by irradiating an unknown specimen with various electromagnetic waves, such as X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared light, and then analyzing the electromagnetic waves emitted from the specimen. In particular, Raman scattering spectroscopy, which uses laser light as a light source, is capable of measuring a wide variety of specimens, from inorganic to organic, and its use as an identification device is being considered.

[0003] There is known an identification device that acquires an image obtained by dispersing Raman scattered light from a specimen using a spectroscopic element using an imaging element. Patent Document 1 discloses an identification device that includes a laser light source for irradiating primary light onto the specimen, a spectroscopic element for dispersing the Raman scattered light from the specimen, and an imaging element for capturing the spectroscopic spectrum projected from the spectroscopic element as a spectral image. The identification device disclosed in Patent Document 1 evaluates the similarity based on the dichroic ratio of the Raman shift peak intensity specific to a target substance on the corrected spectroscopic spectrum of a known standard specimen and the specimen, thereby estimating the material.

[0004] Furthermore, there is known an identification device equipped with a technology for remedying the decline in identification performance caused by changes in the detected optical spectrum due to wavelength fluctuations of the primary light from the light source. The identification device described in Patent Document 2 discloses a correction means for correcting a wavenumber shift in the optical spectrum based on wavelength information of the primary light acquired using reflected light components contained in the secondary light from the specimen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-209128 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-214917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The identification device described in Patent Document 2 discloses that the wavenumber shift of the acquired optical spectrum is corrected, but does not clarify a correction method for correcting the wavenumber shift corresponding to the entire horizontal axis of the optical spectrum by the correction means.

[0007] At the element address where the image sensor receives light, the wavenumber shift corresponding to the interaction between the spectral wavelength from the spectroscopic element and the sample is nonlinear. Therefore, the amount of wavenumber shift correction required for the wavelength variation of the primary light is nonlinear with respect to the element address, as shown in Figure 3(a). Figure 3(a) shows that when the excitation wavelength of a blue semiconductor laser with an excitation wavelength of 478 nm is shifted by 5 nm to the longer wavelength side, the wavenumber shift is 700 to 3800 cm -1 The observation range of the wavenumber shift axis has been expanded to 480-3600 cm -1 This shows an example of a change to the lower wavenumber side. Wavelength fluctuation may also be referred to as wavelength shift, wavelength change, or wavelength drift.

[0008] Furthermore, because the identification device described in Patent Document 2 estimates fluctuations in the excitation wavelength of the light source based on the secondary light of the sample, there are concerns that the accuracy of estimating the excitation wavelength may be limited by sample contamination, secondary light from the conveyor belt, or sample mixing. When applying excitation light wavelength estimation technology to an identification device for resource recovery such as waste materials, the size, cleanliness, and mixing ratio of samples with other materials vary more than when applied to shipping inspections of industrial products, making the device more susceptible to such limitations in estimation accuracy. If wavenumber shift correction due to fluctuations in the wavelength of the primary light is insufficient, the identification performance cannot be maintained, potentially reducing the operating rate of the identification device. Because waste identification costs are positively correlated with the inverse of the operating rate of the identification device, there has been a demand for an identification device whose operating rate does not decrease even when there is a fluctuation in the wavelength of the primary light.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an identification device that can accurately acquire a spectrum without reducing the operating rate even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The identification device according to the embodiment of the present invention but Placement And a mounting section for mounting a specimen on the mounting section, an irradiation section optically coupled to a light source for irradiating the specimen placed on the mounting section with primary light, a light collecting section for collecting secondary light from the specimen, a spectroscopic section for dispersing the secondary light collected by the light collecting section, and an imaging section for capturing an image of the spectroscopic spectrum dispersed by the spectroscopic section to obtain a spectral image. a wavelength information acquisition unit that acquires wavelength information regarding the wavelength of the primary light based on information regarding the driving state of the light source, An identification device for identifying properties of the specimen based on the spectral image, The wavelength information acquired by the wavelength information acquisition unit A correction unit corrects information about the wavenumber shift corresponding to the spectral image based on wavelength information. Characterized by . [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an identification device that can accurately acquire a spectroscopic spectrum without reducing the operating rate even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a discrimination device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a spectral information acquisition unit according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a projection of a spectral spectrum onto an imaging unit, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a change in the projection position of the spectral observation range in response to a change in the wavelength of primary light. [Figure 3] 1A is a diagram showing the influence of excitation wavelength fluctuation on wavelength shift according to the background art, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the correction effect of wavelength shift according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a discrimination device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a discrimination device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are two-sided views showing a schematic configuration of a discrimination device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a discrimination device according to a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the correlation between excitation wavelength and light source temperature. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First Embodiment 1, the identification device 1000 includes an irradiation unit 22 that irradiates a specimen 900i conveyed in a conveying direction dc with condensed irradiation light 220. The specimen 900i is supplied to a conveying unit 200 by a feeder 500, and is conveyed along the conveying direction dc by the conveying unit 200. The irradiation light 220 may also be referred to as condensed light 220 or primary light 220.

[0015] 1, the identification device 1000 includes a light collecting unit 20 that collects scattered light from the specimen 900i in correspondence with the irradiation unit 22. The identification device 1000 also includes an acquisition unit 30 that acquires identification information that identifies the properties of the specimen 900i (i=1, 2, 3, ---) based on the light collected by the light collecting unit 20, as shown in FIG. 1(a).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the identification device 1000 also includes a conveying unit 200 equipped with a conveyor belt that conveys the specimen 900i in the x direction at a conveying speed vc, and a discrimination device 300 downstream of the conveying unit 200 in the conveying direction dc.

[0017] Next, the spectral information acquisition unit having the spectroscopic element and the imaging unit will be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] (Spectral information acquisition section) The identification device 1000 has a spectral information acquisition unit 100 that acquires spectral information of light collected from the specimen 900i. The spectral information acquisition unit 100 is a unit that acquires a Raman shift corresponding to the wavenumber difference between the Raman scattered light contained in the secondary light from the specimen 900i and the excitation light contained in the primary light, and the intensity of the spectral component corresponding to the Raman shift. In this specification, the wavenumber shift may be interchangeably referred to as the Raman shift or the wavenumber difference.

[0019] 1 and 2(a), the spectral information acquisition unit 100 includes an irradiation unit 22 that irradiates the specimen 900i with irradiation light 220, and a light collection unit 20 that collects secondary light from the specimen 900i. In this embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 and the light collection unit 20 are arranged coaxially, and the irradiation unit 22 is optically coupled to a light source 25 including a laser light source via an optical fiber 130. The light collection unit 20 is optically coupled to the spectral image acquisition unit 10 so that the spectral information acquisition unit 100 can acquire optical information reflecting the materials contained in the specimen 900i.

[0020] (Lighting unit) 2(a) is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the spectral information acquisition section 100. The spectral information acquisition section 100 is equipped with a light collection unit 27 having an irradiation section 22 that irradiates the specimen 900i with light and a light collection section 20 that collects Raman scattered light from the specimen 900i. The irradiation section 22 and the light collection section 20 are coaxially arranged on the specimen side (objective side) when viewed from the dichroic mirror 250, and even if there is a difference in height or tilt on the irradiation surface of the specimen 900i, misalignment is unlikely to occur between the center of the irradiation spot and the center of the luminous flux of the collected scattered light.

[0021] (Irradiation unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the irradiation unit 22 is disposed above the transport unit 200 at a predetermined distance WD from the transport surface 200S of the conveyor belt.

[0022] The irradiation unit 22 is arranged to focus the irradiation light 220 toward the upper surface of the specimen 900i, thereby increasing the scattering intensity of the Raman scattered light, which is weaker than the Rayleigh scattered light by several orders of magnitude. A unit including the irradiation unit 22 and the light source 25 may be referred to as an irradiation optical system.

[0023] 2(a), the irradiation unit 22 includes an objective lens 260, a dichroic mirror 250, a collimating lens 230, a cylindrical lens, and a reflecting mirror 210. The objective lens 260 may be a convex lens, a collimating lens, a concave lens, a zoom lens, or the like.

[0024] Synthetic quartz can be used as the glass material for the collimator lens 230, the cylindrical lens 240, the objective lens 260, etc. These lenses are irradiated with high-output light from the semiconductor laser 25 and transmit through them, but by using lenses made of synthetic quartz as the glass material, background components including fluorescence and Raman scattered light originating from the glass material can be reduced.

[0025] The objective lens 260 acts as a condenser lens that condenses light from the laser light source 25 onto the specimen 900i in the irradiation unit 22. The objective lens 260 forms a focal plane 65, a focus (focal spot) with a focal diameter φ (not shown), and a focal depth ΔDF at a position spaced apart from the objective lens 260 by a focal distance DF corresponding to the numerical aperture NA.

[0026] The collimator lens 230 and the cylindrical lens 240 reduce the divergence of the light emitted from the laser light source 25 and shape the light into parallel light. The cylindrical lens 240 may be replaced with another collimating optical element, such as an anamorphic prism pair. The irradiating unit 22 may also have a wavelength filter, such as a laser line filter, disposed at the pupil plane thereof. This improves the wavelength characteristics of the light irradiated onto the specimen 900i by the irradiating unit 22.

[0027] 2(a), at least a portion of the illumination unit 22 can be shared with the light collecting unit 20. In this embodiment, the light collecting unit 20 and the illumination unit 22 are arranged coaxially, and therefore the objective lens 260 and the dichroic mirror 250 are shared by the light collecting unit 20 and the illumination unit 22.

[0028] (light source) The light source 25 is a light source for irradiating the mounting section 200 or the specimen 900i mounted on the mounting section 200 with excitation light via the optical fiber 130 and the irradiation section 22. In other words, the light source 25 is optically coupled to the irradiation section 22 via the optical fiber 130. In the identification device 1000 for spectrally separating Raman scattered light, a laser light source with a wavelength of 400 to 1100 nm is used as the light source 25. The shorter the wavelength of Raman scattering, the higher the excitation efficiency, and the longer the wavelength, the lower the background fluorescent components.

[0029] The excitation wavelength of the laser light source used in light source 25 is preferably selected so that the difference in Raman shift between the target material and the non-target material is clearly observed, but at least one of 532, 633, 780, and 1064 nm may be used. Here, a case where a semiconductor laser 25 is used as the light source of irradiator 22 has been described, but this is not limiting, and other laser light sources such as semiconductor-pumped solid-state lasers and gas lasers may also be used. Light source 25 in this embodiment has an output unit that outputs excitation light wavelength information so that it can be read by other equipment.

[0030] (Lighting section) The light collecting unit 20 is disposed above the transport surface 200S so as to collect secondary light from the upper surface of the specimen 900i transported by the transport unit 200. In other words, the light collecting unit 20 is disposed above the transport unit 200 corresponding to the irradiation area so as to collect secondary light from the upper surface of the specimen 900i passing through the irradiation area of ​​the irradiation light 220 from the irradiation unit 22.

[0031] Light collecting unit 20 includes objective lens 260, dichroic mirror 250, imaging lens 270, and optical fiber 190. Objective lens 260 of light collecting unit 20 includes a convex lens, a collimating lens, a concave lens, a zoom lens, etc., similar to irradiation unit 22. Light collecting unit 20 may include a wavelength filter such as a bandpass filter or longpass filter that reduces the excitation light component contained in the primary light, in order to attenuate light unnecessary for spectroscopic measurement.

[0032] Light collecting unit 20 employs an objective lens with a large numerical aperture to ensure light collection efficiency, and an objective lens with a small numerical aperture to ensure working distance and depth of focus. The numerical aperture of the objective lens of light collecting unit 20 is between 0.1 and 0.5. More specifically, a SCHOTT B-270 with an effective lens diameter of 25 mm, a focal length of 20 mm, and a numerical aperture of 0.5 can be used as the objective lens.

[0033] (Spectral image acquisition unit) 2(a), the spectral image acquisition unit 10 includes, in order from the side of the light collecting unit 20, a branching unit 195, an imaging lens 110, a bandpass filter 120, a spectroscopic unit 150, and an image capturing unit 170. The spectroscopic units 150 are each arranged to disperse the light collected by the light collecting unit 20 via an imaging lens 160, and project a continuous spectrum onto the image capturing unit 170 along the row direction or column direction of the light receiving element array of the image capturing unit 170.

[0034] 2(a) and 2(b), the optical spectrum 280s is projected onto the imaging unit 170 along the light receiving elements 350 arranged in the row direction 172r. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing the projection of the optical spectrum 280s onto the imaging unit 170.

[0035] The spectroscopic section 150 may be optimized as appropriate according to the grating period and the wavenumber band in which the center wavelength is projected, in order to increase the utilization efficiency of projecting the spectral image onto the effective imaging area on the imaging section 170. In this case, the imaging section 170 is placed at an optimal position taking into consideration the emission angle from the spectroscopic section 150, the diffraction efficiency of the spectroscopic section 150, the wavenumber resolution, etc.

[0036] (imaging unit) An imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS in which light receiving elements are arranged two-dimensionally is used for the imaging unit 170. The multiple light receiving elements 350 of the imaging unit 170 of this embodiment are arranged in a matrix, but in the case of a delta arrangement or the like, the row direction and column direction correspond to the directions of two of three axes, or correspond to a combined direction obtained by combining the direction of one of the three axes with the remaining two axes.

[0037] Here, the identification device 1000 identifies the properties of the specimen 900i while transporting the specimen 900i using the transport unit 200, and discriminates the specimen 900i using the discrimination device 300 described below based on the identification results. 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 spectroscopic spectrum 280s projected on the imaging unit 170 is due to Raman scattered light generated from the specimen 900i moving on the transport surface 200S. The spectroscopic spectrum 280s is projected on the imaging unit 170 while the transported specimen 900i is in an area irradiated with the irradiation light 220 (focused light 220) from the irradiation unit 22. For example, if the transport speed vc of the transport unit 200 is 2 m / s and the length of the specimen 900i in the transport direction dc is 10 mm, the time required for the imaging unit 170 to detect the spectral image formed by the Raman scattered light generated from the specimen 900i is 5 milliseconds or less. Therefore, a high frame rate is required for the imaging section 170. An example of an imaging section with such a high frame rate is a CMOS image sensor.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, the intensity of the Raman scattered light generated from the specimen 900i is extremely weak, and therefore the intensity of the light incident on each element of the light-receiving element 350 of the image capturing unit 170 is also extremely weak. Therefore, it is preferable to use an image capturing unit 170 that has high sensitivity in the wavenumber region in which a spectral image corresponding to the optical spectrum 280s is acquired. Generally, compared to global shutter image sensors, rolling shutter image sensors have a simpler pixel structure, a higher aperture ratio, and larger photoelectric conversion elements, thereby improving sensitivity and dynamic range. Furthermore, due to their simple pixel structure, rolling shutter image sensors also have the advantage of being less expensive than global shutter image sensors. For these reasons, in this embodiment, a rolling shutter CMOS image sensor is used as the image capturing unit 170.

[0039] The imaging unit 170 can employ a rolling reset type image sensor that sequentially performs a reset operation for each row of the light receiving elements 350. This makes it possible to extend the exposure time for each row of the light receiving elements 350 as long as possible, thereby increasing sensitivity.

[0040] 2(b), the imaging unit 170 has a crop readout function for performing a readout operation on a specific row in the light receiving unit 171 in which the light receiving elements 350 are arranged two-dimensionally in a row direction 172r and a column direction 172c. This makes it possible to perform a readout operation on a specific row in the light receiving unit 171 corresponding to the light collecting unit 20 when the morphological information acquiring unit 70 (described later) detects that the specimen 900i has reached the light collecting area of ​​the light collecting unit 20.

[0041] 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 out 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 out signals output from pixels in the row selected by the vertical scanning circuit 175 and transfers them to the output circuit 176 under the control of the horizontal scanning circuit 174. This performs readout in the main scanning direction (row direction). The vertical scanning circuit 175 also shifts the row selected, and the readout circuit 173 performs readout in the main scanning direction under the control of the horizontal scanning circuit 174. By repeating this process and shifting the selected row in the sub-scanning direction (column direction), signals can be read out from the entire light receiving unit 171. The readout signals are output as output signals via an output terminal 177 of the output circuit 176 to a correction unit 290 located outside the imaging unit 170. At this time, scanning in the main scanning direction is performed at high speed, but scanning in the sub-scanning direction is slower than scanning in the main scanning direction.

[0042] The imaging lens 110 collimates the split light beams transmitted through either the optical fiber 190 from the light collecting unit 20 or the optical fiber 190 from the branching unit 195. The optical fiber 190 may also be referred to as the branching light guide unit 190. The bandpass filter 120 attenuates the excitation light component contained in the collected light and transmits a portion of the Raman scattered light component. The bandpass filter 120 has spectral transmission characteristics that attenuate Raman scattered light on the high and low wavenumber sides. The spectroscopic unit 150 splits the collected light and disperses the wavelength components into a fan shape. The imaging lens 160 projects the split light beams from the spectroscopic unit 150 onto the imaging unit 170. The spectroscopic unit 150 is a transmissive diffraction grating. A reflective diffraction grating may also be used, in which case the spectroscopic element configuration is a Rowland or Czerny-Turner configuration. The spectroscopic unit 150 may also be referred to as the diffraction grating 150.

[0043] The imaging unit 170 acquires the spectroscopic information Si of the specimen 900i in consideration of the captured spectral image, the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the imaging element of the imaging unit 170, the transmission characteristics of the optical system, etc. In addition, the spectroscopic unit 150 may acquire polarization information including circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion together with the spectroscopic spectrum.

[0044] (Material information reference section) The spectral information acquisition unit 100 includes a material information reference unit 180 that acquires material information of the specimen 900i based on the spectral information Si acquired by the spectral image acquisition unit 10 and whose wavenumber shift has been corrected by a correction unit 290 (described later). The material information reference unit 180 references a material database (not shown) that stores reference data of Raman scattered light, and acquires material information Mi that identifies the material contained in the specimen 900i based on the similarity between the spectral information Si and the reference data. 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).

[0045] Furthermore, the material database referred to by the material information reference unit 180 may be stored in a local server provided in the identification device 1000, or may be a remote server accessible via the Internet or an intranet.

[0046] In this manner, the spectroscopic information acquiring section 100 can acquire material information Mi on the materials, additives, impurity components, and the like contained in the specimen 900i.

[0047] (morphological information acquisition unit) 1, the morphological information acquisition unit 70 includes a camera 76 arranged so that its imaging field of view 700 overlaps the transport unit 200, and an image processing unit 78 that processes the specimen image captured by the camera 76, and acquires morphological information Fi of the specimen 900i. Similar to the material information Mi, the morphological information Fi is information relating to the properties of the specimen 900i.

[0048] The image processing unit 78 performs image processing including contrast and contour extraction to acquire the length in the transport direction, reflection color, shape, material mixture degree, etc. of each specimen 900i. In other words, the image processing unit 78 is an element that performs processing to acquire information related to the size of each specimen 900i. The morphological information acquisition unit 70 can be equipped with a photointerrupter or laser interferometer (not shown) instead of the camera 76. The morphological information acquisition unit 70 may be referred to as an imaging unit. In addition, the morphological information acquisition unit 70 is an element that is selectively adopted in the identification device 1000.

[0049] (Acquisition Department) The acquisition unit 30 acquires identification information Di for each specimen 900i, indicating whether the specimen is a target specimen or a non-target specimen. The acquisition unit 30 outputs the acquired identification information Di to the command unit 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the acquisition unit 30 acquires the identification information Di based on at least one of the material information Mi acquired by the material information reference unit 180, the spectroscopic information Si in which the wavenumber shift has been corrected by the correction unit 290, and the morphological information Fi acquired by the morphological information acquisition unit 70.

[0050] In other words, the acquisition unit 30 identifies the properties of the specimen 900i based on the Raman spectrum contained in the secondary light collected by the light collection unit 20. In other words, the acquisition unit 30 of this embodiment identifies the properties of each specimen 900i based on the specimen image acquired from the camera 76 and the Raman spectrum contained in the secondary light collected by the light collection unit 20.

[0051] In addition, the spectral information acquisition unit 100 and the morphological information acquisition unit 70 in this embodiment can be modified by replacing them with a hyperspectral camera or a multiband camera that can acquire the morphological information Fi and the spectral information Si from the captured image. In other words, it can be said that the identification device (not shown) according to this modified embodiment is equipped with a detection system that acquires multidimensional data that can read out material information and morphological information.

[0052] (control unit) The identification device 1000 includes a control unit 400 including a command section 40 that controls the discrimination operation of the discrimination device 300 based on the properties of each specimen 900i, and a display section 140 that provides a GUI that allows the user to specify control conditions. The control unit 400 further includes a first memory section 60 that stores the properties of each specimen 900i, and a second memory section 80 that stores control conditions for the discrimination operation. The command section 40 includes a display control section (not shown) that displays, on the display section 140, a spectral image 280i of the specimen 900i in which the wavenumber shift has been corrected, acquired by the acquisition section 30. The display control section 40 may display, on the display section 140, information regarding the amount of correction for the wavenumber shift.

[0053] (Storage part) The identification device 1000 of this embodiment has a first storage unit 60, a second storage unit 80, and a third storage unit 90 that can store and retrieve data related to the identification operation, the discrimination operation, and the acquisition of spectral information. The first to third storage units may be integrated with each other, separated, or provided on a remote server so as to be remotely accessible.

[0054] The first storage unit 60 is configured to store, for each specimen 900i, the identification information Di, material information Mi, spectroscopic information Si, and morphological information Fi in association with the time tp at which the specimen 900i passed through the irradiation area 220. The time tp may also be referred to as timing tp.

[0055] The second storage unit 80 is configured to store, for each specimen 900i, control conditions that correspond to the identification information Di and control the intensity Is of the discrimination operation of the discriminator 300. The control conditions include formats such as a referable table, an algebraically expressed general formula, and machine-learned statistical information.

[0056] (Command Department) The command unit 40 estimates the time at which the specimen 900i passes through the processing area where the specimen 900i passes through the area where discrimination processing is performed by the discriminator 300, according to the identification information Di from the acquisition unit 30, and according to the material and size of each specimen 900i, and generates a command to control the discrimination operation of the discriminator 300. The time at which the specimen 900i passes through the processing area can be estimated based on at least one of a signal from the morphological information acquisition unit 70, a signal from the spectroscopic information acquisition unit 100, and a signal from a specimen sensor (not shown) provided in the transport unit 200.

[0057] (Discrimination device) 1, the discriminator 300 includes an air nozzle 330 for discharging compressed air for a predetermined discharge time, discharge speed, and discharge flow rate, and a discrimination control unit 350 for controlling a solenoid valve (not shown) provided in the air nozzle 330. The discrimination control unit 350 receives a control signal from the command unit 40 of the discrimination device 100. The discrimination operation of the discriminator 300 of this embodiment includes an operation of discharging a fluid. Fluids for the discharge operation include air, dry nitrogen, inert gases such as rare gases, liquids, gas-liquid mixtures (aerosols), etc. The discriminator 300 collects the specimen 900i in the target collection basket 620 or the non-target collection basket 600 or 640 depending on the properties of the specimen 900i, based on the control signal issued from the command unit 40.

[0058] In the discriminator 300, the ejection device that ejects the fluid 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, etc. Furthermore, the morphological information acquisition unit 70, spectral information acquisition unit 100, discriminator 300, and other components that make up the identification device 1000 can be arranged in parallel at different positions in the conveyance width direction of the conveyor unit 200, thereby enabling system integration and high-speed processing. The discriminator 300 is considered to be an element of the identification device 1000 and may be referred to as the discriminator unit 300.

[0059] (Transportation section) 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 a transport direction dc (x direction in FIG. 1) at a predetermined transport speed vc. The transport unit 200, together with the feeder 500, constitutes a transport unit that transports the specimens 900i.

[0060] The transport unit 200 of this embodiment has a conveyor belt that transports the specimens 900i supplied from the feeder 500 in a transport direction dc at a speed vc, and transports the specimens linearly on the transport surface 200S. As a modified example, the transport unit 200 can be replaced with a turntable-type feeder that transports specimens outward in a spiral shape, a vibration-type feeder provided with a vibrator that moves the specimens in a predetermined direction, a conveyor roller composed of multiple rollers, or the like.

[0061] The transport unit 200 moves the specimen 900i so that the specimen 900i passes through the field of view 700 of the camera 76, and therefore may be referred to as a mounting unit 200 for the morphological information acquisition unit 70. Similarly, the transport unit 200 moves the specimen 900i so that the specimen 900i passes through the effective light-collecting region 22R of the light-collecting unit 20, and therefore may be referred to as a mounting unit 200 for the light-collecting unit 20.

[0062] In this embodiment, the transfer speed vc of the transfer unit 200 can be set to 0.1 to 5 m / s in the case of a conveyor belt.

[0063] Furthermore, a modification of the identification method using the identification device 1000 of this embodiment can be achieved by performing a classification process for filtering the shape and size of the specimens 900i as a pre-processing step before the supplying step of the feeder 500. A vibrating conveyor, a vibrating sieve, a crusher, a particle conditioner, or the like is used as a means for performing the pre-processing.

[0064] (Wavelength information acquisition section) 1 and 2(a), a description will be given of the wavelength information acquisition unit 295A that acquires wavelength information of the primary light to be referenced by the correction unit 290 described later. In other words, the wavelength information acquisition unit 290 is an element that acquires wavelength information of the excitation light.

[0065] The wavelength information acquisition unit 295A of this embodiment acquires information on the wavelength of the primary light 220 using wavelength information on the excitation light output by the light source 25, and outputs the information to the correction unit 290, which will be described later.

[0066] (correction section) Next, the correction unit 290 according to a feature of the identification device 1000 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), and FIG. 3(b). The correction unit 290 corrects information related to the wavenumber shift corresponding to the spectral image captured by the imaging unit 170, based on wavelength information related to the wavelength of the primary light from the irradiation unit 22. The correction unit 290 in the identification device 1000 corrects the wavenumber shift (Raman shift) of the spectral image 280i corresponding to the specimen 900i, based on the wavelength information wi of the primary light. In other words, the correction unit 290 corrects the wavenumber shift of the spectral image 280i based on the wavelength information wi of the primary light acquired by the wavelength information acquisition unit 295A and the spectroscopic spectrum 280s acquired by the imaging unit 170 included in the spectral image acquisition unit 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a).

[0067] The following general formula (1) holds when the excitation wavelength λ10 at a predetermined operating point serving as a reference for the light source 25, the wavenumber shift Δk corresponding to a predetermined molecular bond likely to be contained in the sample, and the Raman shift obtained from the predetermined molecular bond at the predetermined operating point are λ20. The operating point of the light source 25 includes the operating temperature, drive frequency, etc. The excitation wavelength λ10 at the predetermined operating point may be rephrased as the unchanged wavelength λ10 or the excitation wavelength λ0 of the light source.

[0068]

number

[0069] Similarly, consider a case where the excitation wavelength fluctuates due to movement of the operating point of light source 25. If the wavelength of the primary light at the operating point that has shifted from the reference operating point is λ1d, the wavenumber shift Δk corresponding to a predetermined molecular bond contained in the specimen is Δk, and the wavelength of the secondary light corresponding to this wavenumber shift is λ2d, then the following general formula (2) is established:

[0070]

number

[0071] Here, if the rate of change p of the wavelength of the primary light is p = λ1d / λ10 and the rate of change q of the wavelength of the secondary light is q = λ2d / λ20, the rate of change q of the secondary light can be uniquely described using (p, λ10, Δk) in general formula (3).

[0072]

number

[0073] Here, × is the mathematical symbol for multiplication. As such, it can be seen that the rate of change q of the wavelength of the secondary light does not take a constant value in the observation range Δk (Δkmim≦Δk≦Δkmax) of the Raman spectrum, but varies depending on the wavenumber shift value Δk.

[0074] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, general formulas (1) to (11) are written in Si units. That is, wavelengths λ10, λ1d, λ20, and λ2d are in units of (m), and wavenumber shift Δk, lower limit Δkmim, and upper limit Δkmax of the observation range are in units of (m -1 ) units.

[0075] Next, the wavenumber shift Δk that occurs when light collected and guided by light collecting unit 20 is dispersed by spectroscopic unit 150, projected onto image pickup element 170, and output by image pickup element 170 will be described using Fig. 2(c) and general formulas (4) to (11), etc. Fig. 2(c) is a diagram showing the change in the projection position of the spectrum observation range with respect to the change in the wavelength of the primary light.

[0076] When the lower and upper limits of the wavenumber shift (Raman shift) corresponding to the range of the spectroscopic spectrum for identification evaluation are Δkmin and Δkmax, the wavelength of the primary light is λ1, and the wavelength of the secondary light λ2 corresponding to the Raman shift Δk occurring in the specimen 900i is λ2, the following general formula (4) is established.

[0077]

number

[0078] The wavelength λ2 of the secondary light, as described by general equation (4), is shown in the lower right corner of Figure 2(c). The wavelength λ2 of the secondary light diverges positively on the smaller Δk axis, as it asymptotes to Δk = -1 / λ1, which is located on the more negative side of the wavenumber shift Δk = 0. The wavelength λ2 decreases minor tonal with respect to the wavenumber shift Δk and increases minor tonal with respect to the wavelength λ1 of the primary light. In this way, the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light is uniquely determined for the wavenumber shift Δk and the wavelength λ1 of the primary light and is described by a single function. As will be explained later, if the wavelength λ1 of the primary light fluctuates, for example, if it shifts from λ1 to λ1 × p (p > 1), the asymptote Δk = -1 / λ1 approaches the λ2 axis, and the curve represented by general equation (4) shifts significantly along the wavenumber shift Δk axis. In this case, the lower and upper limit wavenumber shifts, which are the observation range of the wavenumber shift (Raman shift), are Δkmin and Δkmax, and the upper and lower limits of the wavelength of the secondary light, λmax and λmin, corresponding to these shifts, shift to the longer wavelength side, as shown in Figure 2(c).

[0079] Next, for the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light, the spectroscopic unit 150 diffracts the spectral components at a spectral angle Θ in accordance with the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the diffraction grating 150 and projects the spectral image 280i so that the imaging unit 170 can acquire it. The spectral angle Θ of the spectroscopic unit 150 is expressed by the following general formula (5):

[0080]

number

[0081] In this embodiment, the dependence of the spectral angle Θ from the spectroscopic unit 150, expressed by general formula (5), on the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light exhibits a monotonically increasing curve as shown in the upper right of the graph in FIG. 2(c), and the spectral angle Θ is uniquely described with respect to the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light. A modified form is also employed in which the spectral angle Θ from the spectroscopic unit 150 is set to monotonically decrease with respect to the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light. That is, in both this embodiment and the modified form, the spectral angle and the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light are set to monotonically increase or decrease without having a maximum or minimum value in the wavenumber shift band of the observation range. The function y=f(x) corresponding to a monotonically increasing or monotonically increasing curve is expressed as the inverse function x=G(y)=f -1 This means that (y) exists.

[0082] Similarly, if the element number in the row direction of the image pickup element of the image pickup unit 170 is EN and the distance from the incident point of the diffraction grating of the spectroscopic unit 150 to the image pickup unit 170 is D, the element number EN of the element that receives the spectral component corresponding to the wave number shift Δk is expressed by general formula (6). Here, the distance D is the distance of the perpendicular line from the incident point of the diffraction grating to the light receiving surface of the image pickup element, and the parameters a and b are values ​​that are uniquely determined by the optical arrangement on the projection. The parameters D, a, and b are values ​​that the correction unit 290 of the identification device 1000 can uniquely obtain as initial values.

[0083]

number

[0084] The element address EN of the imaging unit expressed by general formula (6) exhibits a monotonically increasing curve with respect to the spectral angle Θ, as can be seen in the upper left of the graph in Figure 2(c), and the element address EN can be uniquely described with respect to the spectral angle Θ(λ2).

[0085] Here, the wavelength λ1 of the primary light corresponding to the excitation wavelength of the light source 25 and the element address EN(Δk, λ1) on the imaging unit 170 onto which the spectral components of the Raman shift for the wavenumber shift Δk of interest are projected are expressed by general formula (7) using general formulas (1) to (6).

[0086]

number

[0087] Similarly, when the wavelength λ1 of the primary light corresponding to the excitation wavelength of the light source 25 varies to p×λ1, the wavenumber shift Δk×r projected onto the element address EN(λ1, Δk) described in general formula (7) is expressed by general formula (8) using general formulas (4) to (6).

[0088]

number

[0089] Here, r is a correction value (r) by which the wavenumber shift value Δk assigned to the output signal from the light receiving element of the imaging unit 170 is multiplied when a wavelength shift of the primary light occurs at a fluctuation rate p, and corresponds to the correction amount (r) that the correction unit 290 gives to information about the wavenumber shift Δk. The parameter r may be rephrased as the correction amount (r), the correction value (r), the fluctuation rate (r) with respect to the wavenumber shift value Δk, or the change rate (r) with respect to the wavenumber shift value Δk.

[0090] From the general formulas (7) and (8), the tangent function and parameters a and b related to the optical arrangement, which are common to both formulas, are eliminated, and the following general formula (9) is established.

[0091]

number

[0092] Since the spectral angle Θ(λ2) also uses a region where it monotonically increases with respect to the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light, the following general formula (10) clearly holds.

[0093]

number

[0094] As is clear from general formula (10), the fluctuation rate r of the wavenumber shift value that is the basis of the correction amount is uniquely described by the following general formula (11) using parameters (Δk, λ1, p) that can be acquired by the identification device 1000.

[0095]

number

[0096] Here, the change rate p of the primary light is the change rate p (=λ1d / λ10) of the primary light acquired by the correction unit 290 from the wavelength information wi acquired by the wavelength information acquisition unit 295A. That is, it is an observed value that the correction unit 290 can sequentially acquire as a fluctuation in the operating point of the light source 25 via the wavelength information acquisition unit 295A. λ10 is a predetermined value determined as the standard operating condition of the light source 25 and is a value that has been acquired by the correction unit 290. Δk is a wavenumber shift of interest in the spectral image 280i and is a value that the correction unit 290 can acquire in advance for each element address EN of the imaging unit 170.

[0097] Therefore, when a fluctuation p occurs in the excitation wavelength of the light source 25, the corrector 290 corrects the wavenumber shift assigned to the signal output by the light receiving element of the image capturing unit 170 by multiplying it by (r) based on general formula (11) to become r × Δk. That is, the corrector 290 can correct the information on the wavenumber shift corresponding to the spectral image 280i to become Δk × r based on the wavelength information p and λ1 related to the wavelength of the primary light. That is, consider the operation of the corrector 290 when the wavelength λ1 of the primary light fluctuates by p times. In this case, the corrector 290 performs correction so that the wavenumber shift Δk corresponding to the signal output by the light receiving element 350 included in the image capturing unit 170 changes by (1 + (1 - 1 / p) / (Δk × λ1)) times.

[0098] Incidentally, general formula (11) explains that when the Raman shift band to be identified is fixed, in a state where the primary light corresponding to the fluctuation rate p being greater than 1 is shifted to a longer wavelength, the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light is shifted to a longer wavelength, and the projection position of the optical spectrum is shifted to a lower wavenumber side (longer wavelength side). In addition, general formula (11) explains that when the Raman shift band to be identified is fixed, in a state where the primary light corresponding to the fluctuation rate p being greater than 1 is shifted to a longer wavelength, the correction coefficient r for the wavenumber shift Δk becomes greater than 1.

[0099] Similarly, general formula (11) explains that when the Raman shift band to be identified is fixed, the wavelength λ2 of the secondary light is shifted to a shorter wavelength and the projection position of the optical spectrum is shifted to a higher wavenumber side (shorter wavelength side) in a state where the primary light corresponding to the fluctuation rate p being smaller than 1 is shifted to a shorter wavelength. Furthermore, general formula (11) explains that when the Raman shift band to be identified is fixed, the correction coefficient r for the wavenumber shift Δk becomes smaller than 1 in a state where the primary light corresponding to the fluctuation rate p being smaller than 1 is shifted to a shorter wavelength.

[0100] Furthermore, it can be seen from general formula (11) that the correction coefficient r is 1 when the primary light corresponding to the fluctuation rate p of 1 maintains the reference wavelength.

[0101] 3(b), the correction unit 290 acquires a correction value r for correcting the wavenumber shift Δk based on the rate of change p of the primary light, the reference wavelength λ1 of the primary light, and the wavenumber shift Δk of interest, and corrects the spectroscopic information Si from the imaging unit 170. The rate of change p of the primary light and the reference wavelength λ1 of the primary light are included in the wavelength information wi acquired by the wavelength information acquisition unit 295. A display control unit (40), not shown, included in the command unit 40 shown in FIG. 2(a) may display information regarding the amount of correction for the wavenumber shift on the display unit 140.

[0102] In the identification device 1000 according to this embodiment, the wavenumber shift of the spectral information Si is corrected over the observation range of the spectral wavelength of the primary light by the correction unit 290. Therefore, the identification device 1000 according to this embodiment can accurately acquire the spectral spectrum without reducing the operating rate even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates.

[0103] <Second embodiment> Next, an identification device 2000 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The identification device 2000 differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a branching unit BS (beam splitter) that branches excitation light from a light source 25, and a wavelength information acquisition unit 295B that acquires wavelength information of the primary light based on the branched light branched from the branching unit BS. The branching unit BS is disposed on the optical path between the light source 25 and the irradiation unit 22. The identification device 2000 also differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a third storage unit 90 that stores spectroscopic information Si before wavenumber shift correction and the specimen number i of the specimen 900i in association with each other.

[0104] The wavelength information acquisition unit 295B includes a spectrometer capable of reading wavelength information of the branched light from the branch unit BS. The wavelength information acquisition unit 295B outputs the acquired wavelength information wi of the primary light to the third storage unit 90.

[0105] The third storage unit 90 receives and stores the output of the spectral information Si before wavenumber shift correction from the imaging unit 170 and the wavelength information wi of the primary light from the wavelength information acquisition unit 295B. The information stored in the third storage unit 90 can be read out by the correction unit 290.

[0106] The third storage unit 90 stores wavelength information wi or information corresponding to the wavelength information wi, which is used by the correction unit 290 described below, in association with the time tp or the specimen 900i. The information corresponding to the wavelength information wi includes the temperature, drive frequency, duty ratio, etc. of the excitation unit of the light source 25. In other words, the third storage unit 90 stores the time tp, a unique serial number such as the specimen number of the specimen 900i, and the spectroscopic information Si and wavenumber information wi before the wavenumber shift is corrected in association with each other.

[0107] A neutral density filter (not shown) may be disposed between the wave number information acquisition unit 295B and the branching unit BS.

[0108] In the identification device 2000 according to this embodiment, the wavenumber shift of the spectral information Si is corrected over the observation range of the spectral wavelength of the primary light by the correction unit 290, as in the identification device 1000. Therefore, the identification device 2000 according to this embodiment can accurately acquire the spectral spectrum without reducing the operating rate, even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates.

[0109] <Third embodiment> Next, an identification device 3000 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The identification device 3000 differs from the first and second embodiments in that it includes a wavelength information acquisition unit 295C that acquires wavelength information of primary light based on Rayleigh scattering components contained in secondary light from the specimen 900i. The branching unit BS is disposed on the optical path between the light source 25 and the irradiation unit 22. The identification device 3000 also differs from the first and second embodiments in that it includes a spectral image acquisition unit 10A that includes an imaging unit (not shown) so as to be able to image the Rayleigh scattering components that are dispersed to the higher wavenumber side than the Raman scattering light components by the spectroscopic unit 150 (shown).

[0110] The identification devices 1000, 2000, 3000, etc. described in this specification are configured to disperse the Stokes light component that is shifted to a lower wavenumber side than the excitation light (primary light), and to acquire a Raman scattered light spectrum based on this Stokes light. Rayleigh scattered light is a component of the primary light that is elastically scattered without interacting with the specimen, and is the basis for identifying the wavelength information of the primary light.

[0111] In the identification device 3000 according to this embodiment, the wavenumber shift of the spectral information Si is corrected over the observation range of the spectral wavelength of the primary light by the correction unit 290, as in the identification device 1000. Therefore, the identification device 3000 according to this embodiment can accurately acquire the spectral spectrum without reducing the operating rate, even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates.

[0112] <Fourth embodiment> Next, an identification device 4000 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) and (b). The identification device 4000 differs from the identification devices 1000, 2000, and 3000 in that it includes a wavelength information acquisition unit 295D that acquires wavelength information based on secondary light from a standard sample RM. As shown in Figure 6(b), the identification device 4000 differs from the identification devices 1000, 2000, and 3000 in that it includes a track TR0 on which a tubular standard sample RM is mounted, and in which the mounting unit 200 moves parallel to a track TR1 on which the sample 900i is transported.

[0113] The standard specimen RM is one in which a single-peak Raman shift peak is observed within a predetermined wavenumber shift range. The predetermined wavenumber shift range is 100 cm -1 The above wavenumber shift range is adopted. The Raman shift peak exhibits a single peak, so its full width at half maximum (FWHM) is 50 cm -1It is preferable that the standard specimen RM is equal to or less than 1 / 2 the full width at half maximum. The full width at half maximum may be referred to as the half width. The standard specimen RM is preferably a substance with a simpler molecular structure than a complex one, with fewer minor components and high purity. The standard specimen RM is selected from materials that are stable against ultraviolet light, chemicals, temperature, and a humid atmosphere, depending on the installation environment of the identification device. The standard specimen RM may be an organic compound containing resins such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polyimide, or a carbon allotrope such as graphite. The standard specimen RM is preferably in the form of a specimen that is milky white and opaque to primary light, since it is easy to obtain the intensity of Raman scattered light from the incident surface and the interior of the standard specimen RM.

[0114] As the secondary light from the standard specimen RM, Rayleigh scattered light may be used instead of Raman scattered light. The fourth embodiment, which is modified to use Rayleigh scattered light from the standard specimen RM, can be said to be a modified example of the identification device 3000 of the third embodiment.

[0115] A modified embodiment is employed in which the standard specimen RM is mounted on a transporting track TR1 for transporting the specimen 900i, rather than providing a dedicated track for the standard specimen RM. Such a modified embodiment includes a configuration in which the standard specimen RM is mounted on a belt conveyor that forms the background of the light collection spot from the specimen 900i. The embodiment in which a dedicated track TR for the standard specimen RM is provided is advantageous over the modified embodiment in that the standard specimen RM is less susceptible to adhesion of contaminants from the specimen 900i, and it is easier to focus the focal plane 65-0 on the standard specimen RM. The embodiment in which a dedicated track TR for the standard specimen RM is provided can be said to be a configuration in which the standard specimen RM is mounted at a position on the mounting unit that does not overlap with the specimen 900i to be placed thereon.

[0116] The identification device 4000 makes the focal length DF of the track TR0 longer than that of the track TR1 on which the sample is placed, in accordance with the height of the standard sample RM from the placement surface 200S. That is, the focal plane 65-0 of the primary light 220-0 corresponding to the track TR0 is adjusted to be lower than the focal plane 65-1 of the primary light 220-1 corresponding to the track TR1. The focal plane 65-1 is set based on statistical information of the sample group 900i (i=0, 1, 2, ...) placed on the track TR1.

[0117] The identification device 4000 includes a cleaning unit 401 that cleans a portion of the track TR0 in order to maintain the cleanliness of the standard specimen RM. The cleaning unit 401 employs dry cleaning, such as a UV lamp or a UV-ozone asher. The cleaning unit 401 may operate continuously in conjunction with the operation of the identification device 4000, intermittently based on the passage of the transported specimen 900i, or adaptively based on the contamination level of the transported specimen 900i. Intermittent or adaptive cleaning reduces deterioration, such as sputtering or etching, or film thickness reduction due to over-cleaning of the standard specimen RM mounted on the track TR0. The intermittent or adaptive cleaning operation of the cleaning unit 401 can be performed based on information from a morphological information acquisition unit 70-0, which is arranged to overlap the field of view 700-0 on the track TR0, just like the track TR1.

[0118] The cleaning unit 401 may be replaced with another method such as an air nozzle that sprays compressed air or a brush with conductive bristles, or may be a combination of a plurality of methods.

[0119] In the identification device 4000 according to this embodiment, the wavenumber shift of the spectral information Si is corrected over the observation range of the spectral wavelength of the primary light by the correction unit 290, as in the identification device 1000. Therefore, the identification device 4000 according to this embodiment can accurately acquire the spectral spectrum without reducing the operating rate, even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates.

[0120] <Fifth embodiment> 7(a) and 7(b), an identification device 5000 according to a fifth embodiment will be described. The identification device 5000 differs from each of the identification devices 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 in that it includes a wavelength information acquisition unit 295E that acquires wavelength information of primary light based on information related to the operating state of the light source 25. The wavelength information acquisition unit 295E according to this embodiment acquires the temperature of a metal housing of a CAN-type semiconductor laser (not shown) included in the light source 25 as the temperature of the light source 25. The metal housing also serves as a heat sink for the semiconductor laser.

[0121] 7(b) , the wavelength information acquisition unit 295E outputs wavelength information wi of the primary light to the correction unit 290. The information on the driving state of the light source 25 includes at least one of the temperature of the housing of the light source 25, the temperature of the oscillation unit of the light source 25, the amount of power consumed by the light source 25, the amount of heat dissipated by the light source 25, and the like.

[0122] In the identification device 5000 according to this embodiment, the wavenumber shift of the spectral information Si is corrected over the observation range of the spectral wavelength of the primary light by the correction unit 290, as in the identification device 1000. Therefore, the identification device 5000 according to this embodiment can accurately acquire the spectral spectrum without reducing the operating rate, even when the wavelength of the excitation light from the light source fluctuates. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 Identification Device 200 Placement section 22 Irradiation unit 20 Lighting section 150 Spectroscopic section 170 Imaging unit 290 Correction Unit

Claims

1. an illumination unit that optically couples with a light source to illuminate the specimen placed on the illumination unit with primary light; a light collection unit that collects secondary light from the specimen; a spectroscopic unit that disperses the secondary light collected by the light collection unit; an imaging unit that captures the spectral image obtained by capturing the spectral distribution obtained by the spectroscopic unit; and a wavelength information acquisition unit that acquires wavelength information regarding the wavelength of the primary light based on information regarding the operating state of the light source, and the identification device that identifies the properties of the specimen based on the spectral image, a correction unit that corrects information about a wavenumber shift corresponding to the spectral image based on the wavelength information acquired by the wavelength information acquisition unit.

2. 2. The identification device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores information about the optical spectrum output by the imaging unit in association with the wavelength information.

3. 3. The identification device according to claim 2, wherein the correction unit corrects information about the wavenumber shift of the optical spectrum based on information about the optical spectrum stored in the storage unit.

4. 4. The identification device according to claim 1, further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires information for identifying the properties of the specimen based on the spectrum.

5. 2. The identification device according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the operating state includes information relating to at least one of a temperature of a housing of the light source, a temperature of an oscillation unit of the light source, an amount of power consumption, and an amount of heat radiation.

6. 6. The identification device according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays the spectrum of the specimen, for which the wavenumber shift has been corrected, on a display unit.

7. 7. The identification device according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit displays information about the amount of correction for the wave number shift on the display unit.

8. 8. The identification device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally.

9. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the correction unit performs correction so as to increase the wavenumber shift output by the imaging unit when a wavelength related to the wavelength of the primary light increases.

10. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the correction unit performs correction so that when the wavelength λ1 of the primary light varies by p times, the wavenumber shift Δk corresponding to the light receiving element output by the imaging unit varies by (1 + (1 - 1 / p) / (Δk × λ1)) times.

Images