Device for transmitting and / or receiving amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (V) for transmitting and / or receiving amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation (STi, STO), comprising: - a housing (GE), which has a housing cap and a housing bottom, the housing being a TO ("transistor outline") housing; - at least one first optoelectronic component (SE1, EM1) which is disposed within the housing (GE) and which is designed to generate and / or receive the electromagnetic radiation (STi, STO), the first optoelectronic component (SE1, EM1) being disposed in the housing (GE) in such a way that a first channel (KA1) for the passing of the electromagnetic radiation (STO) from the first optoelectronic component (SE1) out of the housing (GE), or for the passing of the electromagnetic radiation (STi) outside of the housing (GE) to the first optoelectronic component (EM1), is formed; and - an optical modulator (OM) which is designed in such a way and is disposed relative to the housing (GE) in such a way that the optical modulator (OM) can interact with the first channel (KA1), wherein, in the course of interaction of the optical modulator (OM) with the first channel (KA1), selectively an open state of the first channel (KA1) and a closed state of the first channel (KA1) can be generated, wherein, in the open state, passing of electromagnetic radiation (STi, STO) is enabled, and wherein, in the closed state, passing of electromagnetic radiation (STi, STO) is prevented.

Description

[0001] Device for transmitting and / or receiving amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation

[0002] The invention relates to a device for transmitting and / or receiving amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation.

[0003] Thermal light sources, such as infrared emitters, consist of an electrical conductor that is heated by an electric current and thus causes it to glow. They emit, or send, electromagnetic radiation with a broadband spectrum. For many applications, such as gas analysis, the generated light must be modulated so that the measurement signal can be better separated from interference. The simplest and most common type of modulation is electrical pulse operation of the thermal light source, i.e., switching the electrical current on and off at a defined frequency. However, the speed, i.e., the frequency, of the modulation is severely limited by the heat capacity—i.e., the ability of the thermal light source to store thermal energy.Even highly miniaturized thermal light sources have a modulation depth much less than 100% at modulation frequencies below 100 Hz. This results from the fact that the time is too short to fully heat the electrical conductor (light intensity = 100%) or cool it back down to room temperature (light intensity = 0%). As the frequency increases, the modulation depth decreases, and thus the emitted / transmitted optical signal. In the context of this application, modulation is understood to mean amplitude modulation, i.e., a change in the amplitude, or intensity, of electromagnetic radiation.

[0004] External optical modulators based on electro-optical crystals (e.g., Pockels cells, Kerr cells, etc.), liquid crystal light modulators, acousto-optical modulators (e.g., Bragg cells), polarization modulators, and interferometric optical modulators are not suitable for broadband, loss-free modulation of electromagnetic radiation. Loss-free modulation is only possible with an optical pulse shaper, also called a chopper. Such a chopper is designed in the form of a rotating sector aperture, which modulates the electromagnetic radiation's intensity in a rectangular pattern between 0% and 100%, independent of frequency. Such a method for manipulating electromagnetic radiation is disclosed, for example, in WO 88 / 08513.

[0005] Similar modulations can be achieved using rotating or oscillating mirrors, angled mirrors, or apertures. The main disadvantages of all these systems are their size, long-term stability and lifetime, position dependence, and frequency stability at high frequencies due to the sometimes large moving mass and air turbulence. As a result, optical modulators are rarely used in thermal light sources.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a highly integrated optoelectronic or electro-optical component for emitting and / or receiving electromagnetic radiation, in particular infrared light, which has a fast response time and a broadband spectral range.

[0007] The object is achieved by a device for transmitting and / or receiving amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation, which device comprises:

[0008] A housing;

[0009] At least one first optoelectronic component arranged within the housing, which is designed to generate and / or receive the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first optoelectronic component is arranged in the housing such that a first channel is formed for the electromagnetic radiation to pass from the optoelectronic component out of the housing, or for the electromagnetic radiation to pass outside the housing towards the optoelectronic component; and

[0010] An optical modulator which is designed and arranged with respect to the housing in such a way that the optical modulator can interact with the first channel, wherein upon interaction of the optical modulator with the first channel, an open state of the first channel and a closed state of the first channel can be alternately generated, wherein in the open state a passage of electromagnetic radiation is enabled, and wherein in the closed state a passage of electromagnetic radiation is prevented.

[0011] The device according to the invention allows amplitude modulation or intensity modulation of the incoming and / or outgoing electromagnetic radiation. The optical modulator is designed such that the first channel is mechanically opened or closed. As a result, the basic intensity of the incoming and / or outgoing electromagnetic radiation remains the same, since, for example, the radiation source is always switched on, but is temporarily blocked, thereby generating the modulation. Furthermore, the amplitude modulation occurs as a wavelength-independent modulation across the entire wavelength range of the electromagnetic radiation.

[0012] All components of the device are integrated into a single housing. This makes the device robust and long-term stable, thus ensuring a long service life. The components are preferably integrated into a round housing, such as a TO (“Transistor Outline”) housing. However, other housing shapes are also possible, such as a housing with a rectangular footprint.

[0013] The dimensions of all components are intended to be as small as possible. Today, the components of the device are available in very small dimensions. By choosing a small housing, preferably in the millimeter range, and scaling the other components accordingly, the device is small and compact and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0014] Advantageously, the first channel is closed off by a window or lens attached to the housing, through which the electromagnetic radiation passes. The window or lens can contain an optical filter that allows only a specific wavelength range of the electromagnetic radiation to pass through.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the device, it is provided that the device has one or more further optoelectronic components which are arranged in the housing in such a way that a further channel is formed for each further optoelectronic component for the electromagnetic radiation to pass from the optoelectronic component out of the housing, or for the electromagnetic radiation to pass outside the housing towards the optoelectronic component, wherein the optical modulator is designed and arranged with respect to the housing in such a way that the optical modulator can interact with each of the further channels, wherein upon interaction of the optical modulator with the respective further channel, an open state of the corresponding further channel and a closed state of the first corresponding further channel can be alternately generated. Multiple channels make it possible to emit and / or receive multiple types of electromagnetic radiation.Each of the channels can be closed off by a window or a lens as described above, whereby the filter can be designed differently in each case so that different wavelength ranges of the electromagnetic radiation can pass through each filter.

[0016] According to a first advantageous variant of the device, it is provided that exactly one further optoelectronic component is provided, wherein the first optoelectronic component is designed to generate the electromagnetic radiation and wherein the further optoelectronic component is designed to receive the electromagnetic radiation, or wherein the first optoelectronic component and the further optoelectronic component are designed to generate the electromagnetic radiation, or wherein the first optoelectronic component and the further optoelectronic component are designed to receive the electromagnetic radiation.

[0017] The first variant of the device allows the establishment of three different designs:

[0018] 1. A multi-channel transmitter which provides two optoelectronic components for generating the electromagnetic radiation in the same housing. Advantageously, the optoelectronic components are designed in such a way and / or optionally the windows / lenses or their filters are designed in such a way that electromagnetic radiation with different spectral ranges is emitted or transmitted. The optical modulator can be designed in such a way that it alternately opens the first channel and simultaneously closes the other channel and closes the first channel and simultaneously opens the other channel. As a result, only the electromagnetic radiation from one of the optoelectronic components is emitted at a time, which means that different gases can be measured simultaneously, for example in gas analysis. Alternatively, both channels are closed or open at the same time.

[0019] 2. A multi-channel receiver which provides two optoelectronic components for detecting electromagnetic radiation in the same housing. Advantageously, the optoelectronic components and / or optionally the windows / lenses or their filters are designed in such a way that electromagnetic radiation with different spectral ranges is detected. The optical modulator can be designed in such a way that it alternately opens the first channel and simultaneously closes the other channel, and closes the first channel and simultaneously opens the other channel. As a result, only one of the optoelectronic components receives the electromagnetic radiation at a time, which means that different gases can be measured simultaneously, for example in gas analysis. Alternatively, both channels can be closed or opened at the same time.

[0020] 3. A combination of an optoelectronic component for generating and transmitting electromagnetic radiation and an optoelectronic component for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, all housed in a single housing. The optical modulator is designed so that both channels are alternately opened and closed simultaneously. This results in optical synchronization of the transmitter and receiver, eliminating the need for separate, sometimes complex, electrical synchronization.

[0021] According to a second advantageous variant of the device, it is provided that exactly three further optoelectronic components are provided, wherein two optoelectronic components from the total of the first optoelectronic component and the three further optoelectronic components are designed to generate the electromagnetic radiation, and wherein two optoelectronic components from the total of the first optoelectronic component and the three further optoelectronic components are designed to receive the electromagnetic radiation.

[0022] This advantageously allows for the establishment of a multispectral transmitter-receiver unit, with the spectral ranges of the various components coordinated to create two transmitter-receiver pairs. Each pair covers a different spectral range. The spectral range can be adjusted as desired by combining different transmitters and / or receivers and using different filters as windows or lenses.

[0023] One embodiment of the device provides that, in the case that a plurality of optoelectronic components are present for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, these optoelectronic components are designed to receive electromagnetic radiation with different wavelength ranges, and / or wherein, in the case that a plurality of optoelectronic components are present for generating the electromagnetic radiation, these optoelectronic components are designed to generate electromagnetic radiation with different wavelength ranges.

[0024] For example, thermal light sources emit broadband electromagnetic radiation due to their temperature. The materials available for this purpose limit the emitted wavelength range primarily to the infrared range, i.e., the emission of infrared radiation with wavelengths greater than 800 nm. The multi-channel transmission unit design allows the spectral range to be extended, for example, into the visible or UV range, by combining it with other types of light sources, such as LEDs.

[0025] Alternatively, when using several broadband emitting light sources, e.g. thermal light sources, different spectral ranges can be realized with only one type of optoelectronic component for transmitting electromagnetic radiation by using different filters (bandpass, shortpass, longpass, etc.) as windows or lenses.

[0026] Both can be transferred analogously to optoelectronic components for receiving electromagnetic radiation.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the optoelectronic component or components for generating the electromagnetic radiation are a light source, preferably a thermal light source. When using thermal radiation sources as transmitters, the optical modulator enables very rapid modulation of the radiation, which cannot be achieved by electrical pulse operation due to the thermal mass of the light source.

[0028] The optoelectronic component is preferably designed as a thermal IR (infrared) light source with broadband emission. Such an IR light source advantageously comprises a self-supporting radiator filament. This achieves high efficiency. The radiator filament preferably consists of a thin metal foil. The metal foil can advantageously be provided with a nanostructure. Such IR light sources are produced and marketed by the applicant and are described, for example, in DE 102012 103 662 A1, DE 10 2016 113 747 A1, DE 102018 101 974 A1, and DE 102021 111 260 A1.

[0029] However, different types of optoelectronic components for generating electromagnetic radiation, e.g. lasers and LEDs, with different spectral ranges can also be integrated or combined with each other.

[0030] One embodiment of the device provides that the optoelectronic component for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, or the optoelectronic components for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, are thermal detectors, semiconductor detectors or miniaturized optical spectrometer systems.

[0031] Thermal IR sensors are particularly suitable as thermal detectors. However, other types of detectors, such as photoacoustic sensors or semiconductor sensors with different spectral ranges, can also be integrated or combined with each other.

[0032] Furthermore, it is possible to combine individual receivers with an optical spectrometer in a single optoelectronic component. This allows, for example, simultaneous broadband measurement with a high-resolution spectral measurement in the same wavelength range or even in a different wavelength range.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the device, it is provided that the optical modulator is a rotating sector diaphragm, wherein the sector diaphragm in interaction with the housing forms at least one open area and at least one closed area, wherein during operation of the optical modulator the open area and the closed area alternately interact with the first channel, wherein upon interaction of the open area with the first channel the open state of the first channel can be generated, wherein by interaction of the closed area with the first channel the closed state of the first channel can be generated.

[0034] By means of such a sector aperture, a rectangular modulation of the electromagnetic radiation can be achieved.

[0035] The sector aperture is circular and has a motor that rotates it. The diameter of the sector aperture is matched to the dimensions of the housing. The sector aperture is preferably very thin and lightweight. Metals and fiber-reinforced plastics or other composites are particularly suitable as materials. This choice of material makes the sector aperture mechanically very stable despite its small dimensions.

[0036] Preferably, the number of open and closed areas is identical. The areas are designed so that the open and closed areas face each other to achieve maximum stability during rotation.

[0037] An advantageous embodiment of the device provides that, in the case that two or more channels are formed, the sum of the number of closed regions and the number of open regions corresponds at least to the number of channels, preferably twice the number of channels, wherein the optical modulator is designed such that each of the regions interacts with each of the channels to accordingly generate the open or closed state of the respective channel.

[0038] It can advantageously be provided that the open areas and / or the closed areas have different geometries from one another, whereby the pulse duration or the duty cycle and the modulation form (square-wave, sinusoidal, sawtooth-shaped, etc.) can be varied. The geometry of the sector aperture is preferably selected such that a rectangular modulation signal is generated. The greatest signal strength results from a rectangular modulation signal. Particularly at high modulation frequencies (for example, greater than 100 Hz), this is achieved by dividing the sector aperture into exactly one open area and one closed area. The two areas are the same size and semicircular in shape. To prevent imbalance, balancing masses are provided at the edge of the open area.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the device comprises a light barrier arrangement. The light barrier arrangement consists of a light transmitter and a light receiver and is configured and arranged in the housing to detect the rotational speed of the rotating sector diaphragm. Through interaction with the motor of the sector diaphragm, the rotation of the sector diaphragm can be frequency-stabilized.

[0040] Preferably, the light barrier is designed and arranged in the housing in such a way that the light emitted by the light transmitter is directed onto the rotating sector aperture in such a way that a temporal change of the different areas can be detected, wherein the light barrier is designed to determine the speed of the rotating sector aperture on the basis of the detected temporal changes of the different areas.

[0041] For this purpose, the light emitted by the light transmitter can be directed onto the sector aperture in such a way that the light is reflected back from the sector aperture to the light receiver. For this purpose, the sector aperture is preferably reflective, i.e., light-reflecting, and the inside of the housing wall opposite the light barrier is blackened or has low light reflection.

[0042] Alternatively, the light emitted by the light transmitter can be directed onto the sector aperture in such a way that it is reflected back to the light receiver from a portion of the housing. The optical modulation of the light from the light barrier thus occurs either through reflection on the inside of the housing wall or through interruption by the rotating sector aperture, which is preferably blackened for this purpose or has low light reflection.

[0043] As an alternative to a rotating sector aperture, one or more mirrors, angle mirrors or prisms can be used as an optical modulator to amplitude modulate the incoming and / or outgoing electromagnetic radiation.

[0044] An embodiment of the device further provides a printed circuit board on which the first optoelectronic component or the further optoelectronic components and the optical modulator are arranged for integration in the housing.

[0045] Advantageously, in one embodiment of the device, the housing is hermetically sealed, which is achieved, for example, by soldering or welding a housing cap to a housing base. This results in high long-term stability and service life of the device.

[0046] The installed optoelectronic component, or the multitude of optoelectronic components, is protected and a high long-term stability and service life is achieved by the device having an inert protective gas in the housing, in particular dry nitrogen or a noble gas with low thermal conductivity.

[0047] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0048] Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a device according to the invention with a transmitter, shown as a cross section;

[0049] Fig. 2: a plan view of the first embodiment;

[0050] Fig. 3: a plan view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention with two transmitters;

[0051] Fig. 4: a plan view of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention with two receivers;

[0052] Fig. 5: a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention with a transmitter and a receiver, shown as a cross section;

[0053] Fig. 6: a plan view of the fourth embodiment; and

[0054] Fig. 7: a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention with two transmitters and two receivers.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment. The device V comprises a housing GE, which consists of a housing cap, which is hermetically sealed to a housing base. The housing is, for example, a TO-8, a TO-3, or a TO-39 housing. Typical sizes for round housings range from a diameter of 8 to 30 mm and a height of 6 to 20 mm.

[0056] A printed circuit board LP is provided in the housing GE, which is electrically connected to the terminal contacts of the housing GE. The terminal contacts of the housing GE are designed to be electrically insulated from the housing and hermetically sealed. This allows the device V to be electrically contacted externally, for example, to apply and / or measure an electrical voltage to components of the device (optoelectronic components EM1, EM2, SE1, SE2 described below, a light barrier arrangement LA, an optical modulator QM, etc.). An optoelectronic component SE1 is arranged on the circuit board, which is used to transmit electromagnetic radiation ST O The term "transmit" here is synonymous with "emit." The arrangement of the optoelectronic component SE1 in the housing GE, or on the printed circuit board LP, is illustrated by the top view shown in Fig. 2.

[0057] The optoelectronic component SE1 forms a channel KA1 with the housing GE, through which the electromagnetic radiation ST O happens. The exit from the housing GE, or the end of the channel KA1 , occurs through a window FE1 . The window FE1 is integrated into the housing cap and hermetically connected to it, for example by soldering or gluing, and through it the emission and reception of electromagnetic radiation takes place. The material of the windows is preferably CaF2, BaF2, KBr, ZnSe, Si, Ge, glass, diamond, or similar. By selecting the material of the windows FE1 , FE2 and / or an additional coating, these can have a filter function and only transmit a certain part of the spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation ST O let it happen.

[0058] The window FE1 can also be designed as a lens, preferably as a plano-convex lens, so that optimal coupling and optical imaging of the optoelectronic component SE1 takes place.

[0059] An optical modulator OM is also provided in the housing GE or on the circuit board LP. This is a wheel- or disc-shaped sector aperture SB with a motor MO that sets the sector aperture SB in rotation. The sector aperture SB is designed to cover a total of four areas B c 1 , B c 2, B o 1 , B o 2. The areas B c 1 , B c 2, Bo1 , Bo2 can be divided into open areas Bo1 , Bo2, i.e. recesses of the sector aperture SB, and closed areas B C 1 , B c 2 (here the material of the sector aperture SB is present).

[0060] The dimension of a closed area B c 1 , B c2 is selected such that, when it is located above an optoelectronic component SE1, it closes the respective channel KA1 so that the outgoing electromagnetic radiation STo can no longer pass through the channel KA1 and can no longer leave the housing GE.

[0061] The dimension of an open area B O 1 , B o 2 is selected such that, when it is located above an optoelectronic component SE1, SE2, it does not close the respective channel KA1, so that the outgoing electromagnetic radiation ST can pass through the channel KA1 unhindered and leave the housing GE.

[0062] Due to the rotation of the sector aperture SB generated by the motor MO, the sector aperture SB interacts with the channels in such a way that a channel KA1 is alternately closed and opened. This results in an amplitude or intensity modulation of the electromagnetic radiation ST emitted by the optoelectronic components SE1 and SE2. O with a rectangular pattern. The electromagnetic radiation ST O The pulsed signal exits the GE housing. This can be used, for example, to dampen background noise in gas analysis applications. The frequency range for opening and closing is advantageously between 1 Hz and 1 kHz.

[0063] The rotational speed of the sector aperture SB, or the pulse frequency of the outgoing electromagnetic radiation ST Ocan be checked using a light barrier assembly LA mounted on the circuit board LP. The light barrier assembly LA has a light transmitter LS, e.g., a laser, that emits light, particularly in a directed manner. The light barrier assembly LA is arranged on the circuit board in such a way that the light emitted by the light transmitter LS strikes a surface perpendicularly and is reflected back to the light barrier assembly. Furthermore, the light barrier assembly LA has a light receiver LE, which is designed to receive the light reflected from the surface.

[0064] The alignment of the light barrier arrangement LA is such that the light emitted by the light transmitter LS hits a bottom side of the sector diaphragm SB when one of the closed areas B c 1 , B c 2 is located above the light barrier arrangement LA. If one of the open areas B o 1 , B o2 above the light barrier arrangement LA, the light emitted by the light transmitter LS passes through this open area B O 1 , B o 2 and hits a surface of the housing GE. Two variants are conceivable for the back reflection:

[0065] The underside of the sector diaphragm SB is preferably reflective, i.e., light-reflecting. In this variant, the underside is therefore the surface that reflects the light back to the light receiver LE. The inside of the housing wall, onto which the light is directed in the case of an open area B O 1 , B o 2 of the sector aperture SB, has a slightly reflective surface, e.g. due to blackening of the surface.

[0066] Alternatively, the housing wall can be the surface that reflects the light back to the light receiver LE. The underside of the sector aperture SB has a slightly reflective surface, e.g., by blackening the surface.

[0067] The light barrier arrangement LA detects a temporal change of the different areas B due to the different design of the surfaces C 1 , B c 2, B O 1 , B o2. The time it takes for such a change to be recorded, and the speed or frequency of the rotating sector diaphragm is determined on the basis of this time. The light barrier arrangement LA can be used to control or regulate the speed of the sector diaphragm SB on this basis, e.g. to a predetermined speed value or to correct any deviations. For this purpose, the light barrier arrangement LA is electrically connected to the motor MO of the sector diaphragm SB. Alternatively, such control / regulation is carried out via a control device connected externally to the device V. The electrical signal from the light barrier arrangement can also be used for signal processing and evaluation by the receivers EM1, EM2 integrated in the device V, e.g. when measuring with a lock-in amplifier.

[0068] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the device. The basic structure of the device V corresponds to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). However, an additional further optoelectronic component SE2 is now provided, which is also designed to generate electromagnetic radiation. A further window FE2 is assigned to the further optoelectronic component SE2. This window is arranged with respect to the housing GE and the further optoelectronic component SE2 in such a way that a further channel is formed through which electromagnetic radiation can pass.

[0069] The optoelectronic components SE1, SE2 can be designed differently from one another. For example, the optoelectronic component SE1 is a thermal IR emitter, whereas the optoelectronic component SE2 is an LED. The two optoelectronic components SE1, SE2 therefore emit electromagnetic radiation in different spectral ranges ST O .

[0070] Alternatively, both optoelectronic components SE1 and SE2 can be designed identically. A difference in the emitted spectral range can be achieved by designing the windows FE1 and FE2, in particular by appropriate coating and / or material selection for the window FE2.

[0071] In the present second embodiment, the optoelectronic components SE1, SE2 are arranged such that their channels KA1 simultaneously assume a closed or open state upon rotation of the sector diaphragm SB.

[0072] However, the optoelectronic components SE1, SE2 can also be arranged in such a way, or the areas of the sector aperture SB can be designed in such a way that the channel KA1 of the first optoelectronic component SE1 has a different state than that of the second optoelectronic component SE2. For this purpose, for example, the optoelectronic component SE2 could be positioned at the current height of the closed area B c 2 (see Fig. 3).

[0073] Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the device. The basic structure of the device V corresponds to that of the second embodiment (see Fig. 3). However, the optoelectronic components EM1, EM2 are designed to receive electromagnetic radiation ST. This means that the optoelectronic components EM1, EM2 output a measured value for the intensity of the received electromagnetic radiation ST.

[0074] Here too, the windows FE1, FE2 can be designed as a lens, preferably as a plano-convex lens, so that the radiation is optimally coupled to the optoelectronic components EM1, EM2.

[0075] The optoelectronic component EM1 is, in particular, a thermal infrared detector. The optoelectronic component EM2 is, in particular, a semiconductor detector. Thermal detectors are primarily used in the mid- and far-infrared range, i.e., for detecting infrared radiation with wavelengths greater than 3 pm, because cost-effective semiconductor detectors are not available in this range. The multi-channel receiver unit design enables the spectral range to be extended, e.g., into the near-infrared, visible, or UV ranges, by combining it with an optoelectronic component EM2 of a different type, such as a Si photodiode or a photoacoustic sensor.

[0076] If the two optoelectronic components EM1 and EM2 are of the same type, different spectral ranges can be detected by using differently designed windows FE1 and FE2 – and thus different filters. This allows for the realization of a multispectral detector.

[0077] A fourth embodiment is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through the device, while Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the device V. The device is designed here as a combined transmitter-receiver unit. This means that the optoelectronic component SE1 for transmitting electromagnetic radiation ST O is configured, wherein the optoelectronic component EM1 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation ST. The remaining structure of the device V corresponds to that of the second embodiment (see Fig. 2).

[0078] Due to the opposing arrangement of both optoelectronic components SE1 , EM1 , an automatic (optical) synchronization of the electromagnetic radiation ST Oemitting optoelectronic component SE1 and the optoelectronic component EM1 receiving electromagnetic radiation ST. This means that if the state of channel KA1 of the optoelectronic component SE1 is open, the state of channel KA2 of the optoelectronic component EM1 is also open and vice versa when closed. In the open state, the optoelectronic component EM1 therefore sees the signal (= the electromagnetic radiation) of the optoelectronic component SE1, and in the closed state, it does not. With a separate construction of such a device, as is common in the prior art, in which these components are not arranged within a single housing, the modulation signal of the transmitter must always be known for synchronization and must be transmitted electrically to the receiver so that the measurement signal can be read correctly. With this construction, this is no longer necessary.

[0079] A further advantage of integrating both optoelectronic components SE1 and EM1 is that, when using a thermal light source as the optoelectronic component SE1, the optoelectronic component EM1 can be thermostatted due to its natural power dissipation. This allows for stabilization of the measurement signal (at the receiver). This can be a significant advantage, especially in cold environments or in applications with fluctuating temperatures.

[0080] Each of the four embodiments mentioned can be designed either as a single-channel or multi-channel version, ie, one or more transmitters and / or receivers can be integrated into the device. An example of a combined transmitter-receiver unit as a multi-channel version is shown in plan view in Fig. 7 as a fifth embodiment of the device V according to the invention. In this fifth embodiment, two optoelectronic components SE1, SE2 for transmitting electromagnetic radiation ST O (transmitter) and two optoelectronic components EM1, EM2 for receiving electromagnetic radiation STi (receiver). The remaining structure of the device V corresponds to that of the second embodiment (see Fig. 2).

[0081] This arrangement allows for arbitrary adjustment of the spectral range, as combinations of different transmitters and / or receivers, as well as the use of different spectral filters as windows FE1, FE2 (and the other windows without reference symbols), are possible. Here, too, automatic optical synchronization of the transmitters and receivers is achieved via the sector aperture SB.

[0082] With the appropriate design of the SB sector aperture, individual transmitter-receiver channels can be operated optically separately. This allows, for example, different gases to be measured simultaneously in gas analysis.

[0083] In principle, further embodiments are also possible. For example, a different number of optoelectronic components can be selected. The sector aperture SB can also have different geometries. In this case, it can advantageously be provided that the open areas B O 1 , B o2 and / or the closed areas B C 1 , B c 2 have different geometries, allowing the pulse duration and pulse shape to be varied. As an alternative to a rotating sector aperture SB, one or more mirrors, angle mirrors, or prisms can be used as an optical modulator OM for amplitude modulation of the incoming and / or outgoing electromagnetic radiation ST, ST O be used.

[0084] List of reference symbols

[0085] B C 1 , B c 2 closed areas of the sector aperture

[0086] B O 1 , B o 2 open areas of the sector aperture

[0087] EM1 , EM2 components for receiving electromagnetic radiation

[0088] FE1. FE2 window

[0089] GE housing

[0090] KA1 , KA2 channels for passing the electromagnetic radiation

[0091] LA light barrier arrangement

[0092] LE light receiver of the light barrier arrangement

[0093] LP circuit board

[0094] LS light transmitter of the light barrier arrangement

[0095] MO Motor for driving the sector shutter

[0096] OM optical modulator

[0097] SB sector aperture

[0098] SE1 , SE2 components for generating electromagnetic radiation

[0099] STi incoming electromagnetic radiation

[0100] STo outgoing electromagnetic radiation

[0101] V device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (V) for transmitting and / or receiving amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation (ST, ST O ), including: A package (GE) with a package cap and a package base, the package being a TO (transistor outline) package; At least one first optoelectronic component (SE1, EM1) arranged within the housing (GE) which is designed to generate and / or receive the electromagnetic radiation (ST, ST O ), wherein the first optoelectronic component (SE1, EM1) is arranged in the housing (GE) in such a way that a first channel (KA1) for passing the electromagnetic radiation (ST O ) from the first optoelectronic component (SE1) out of the housing (GE), or for passing the electromagnetic radiation (ST) outside the housing (GE) towards the first optoelectronic component (EM1); and An optical modulator (OM) which is designed and arranged with respect to the housing (GE) in such a way that the optical modulator (OM) can interact with the first channel (KA1), wherein upon interaction of the optical modulator (OM) with the first channel (KA1), an open state of the first channel (KA1) and a closed state of the first channel (KA1) can be alternately generated, wherein in the open state, a passage of electromagnetic radiation (ST, STo) is enabled, and wherein in the closed state, a passage of electromagnetic radiation (ST, ST O ) is prevented.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises one or more further optoelectronic components (SE1, SE2, EM1, EM2) which are arranged in the housing (GE) in such a way that for each further optoelectronic component (SE1, SE2, EM1, EM2) a further channel (KA2) for passing the electromagnetic radiation (ST O) from the optoelectronic component (SE1, SE2) out of the housing (GE), or for passing the electromagnetic radiation (ST) outside the housing (GE) towards the optoelectronic component (EM1, EM2), wherein the optical modulator (OM) is designed and arranged with respect to the housing (GE) in such a way that the optical modulator (OM) can interact with each of the further channels (KA2), wherein upon interaction of the optical modulator (OM) with the respective further channel (KA2) an open state of the corresponding further channel (KA2) and a closed state of the first corresponding further channel (KA2) can be alternately generated.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein exactly one further optoelectronic component (SE1, SE2, EM1, EM2) is provided, wherein the first optoelectronic component (SE1) is used to generate the electromagnetic radiation (ST O ) and wherein the further optoelectronic Component (EM1) is designed to receive the electromagnetic radiation (ST), or wherein the first optoelectronic component (SE1) and the further optoelectronic component (SE2) are designed to generate the electromagnetic radiation (ST O ), or wherein the first optoelectronic component (EM1) and the further optoelectronic component (EM2) are designed to receive the electromagnetic radiation (ST).

4. Device according to claim 2, wherein exactly three further optoelectronic components (SE1, SE2, EM1, EM2) are provided, wherein two optoelectronic components (SE1, SE2) from the total of the first optoelectronic component and the three further optoelectronic components for generating the electromagnetic radiation (ST O), and wherein two optoelectronic components (EM1, EM2) from the total of the first optoelectronic component and the three further optoelectronic components are designed to receive the electromagnetic radiation (ST).

5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein in the case that several optoelectronic components (EM1, EM2) are present for receiving the electromagnetic radiation (ST), these optoelectronic components (EM1, EM2) are designed for receiving electromagnetic radiation (ST) with different wavelength ranges, and / or wherein in the case that several optoelectronic components (SE1, SE2) are present for generating the electromagnetic radiation (ST O ) are present, these optoelectronic components (SE1, SE2) are designed to generate electromagnetic radiation (STo) with different wavelength ranges.

6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first optoelectronic component (SE1) for generating the electromagnetic radiation (ST O ), or the optoelectronic components (SE1 , SE2) for generating the electromagnetic radiation (ST O ), a light source, preferably a thermal light source.

7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first optoelectronic component (EM1) for receiving the electromagnetic radiation (ST), or the optoelectronic components (EM1, EM2) for receiving the electromagnetic radiation (ST), are thermal detectors, semiconductor detectors, photoacoustic sensors or miniaturized optical spectrometer systems.

8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the optical modulator (OM) is a rotating sector diaphragm (SB), wherein the sector diaphragm in interaction with the housing (GE) forms at least one open area (B o 1 , B o 2) and at least one closed area (B c 1 , B c 2) is formed, whereby during operation of the optical Modulator (OM) alternately the open area (B o 1 , B o 2) and the closed area (B c 1 , B c 2) interact with the first channel (KA1), whereby upon interaction of the open area (B o 1 , B o 2) the open state of the first channel (KA1) can be generated with the first channel (KA1), whereby by interaction of the closed area (B c 1 , B c 2) the closed state of the first channel (KA1) can be generated with the first channel (KA1).

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein in the case that two or more channels (KA1, KA2) are formed, the sum of the number of closed areas (B c 1 , B c 2) and the number of open areas (B o 1 , B o 2) corresponds at least to the number of channels (KA1, KA2), preferably twice the number of channels (KA1, KA2), wherein the optical modulator (OM) is designed such that each of the regions (B c 1 , B c 2, B O 1 , B o 2) interacts with each of the channels (KA1, KA2) to generate the open or closed state of the respective channel (KA1, KA2).

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the open areas (B o 1 , B o 2) and / or the closed areas (B c 1 , B c 2) have different geometries from each other.

11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a light barrier arrangement (LA), consisting of a light transmitter (LS) and light receiver (LE), which is designed and arranged in the housing (GE) in such a way as to detect a rotational speed of the rotating sector diaphragm (SB).

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the light emitted by the light transmitter (LS) is directed onto the rotating sector diaphragm (SB) in such a way that a temporal change of the different areas (B c 1 , B c 2, B o 1 , B o 2) can be detected, wherein the light barrier arrangement (la) is designed to determine the speed of the rotating sector diaphragm (SB) on the basis of the detected temporal changes of the different areas.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the light emitted by the light transmitter (LS) is directed onto the sector aperture (SB) in such a way that the light is reflected back from the sector aperture (SB) to the light receiver (LE).

14. Device according to claim 12, wherein the light emitted by the light transmitter (LS) is directed onto the sector diaphragm (SB) in such a way that the light is reflected back from a portion of the housing (GE) to the light receiver (LE).

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a printed circuit board (LP) on which the first optoelectronic component or the further optoelectronic components, the Light barrier arrangement (LA) and the optical modulator (OM) are arranged for integration in the housing (GE).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (GE) is hermetically sealed.

17. Device according to claim 16, further comprising an inert protective gas located in the housing (GE), in particular dry nitrogen or a noble gas with low thermal conduction.

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