Optical waveguide device

Abstract

This waveguide device comprises a body part that is provided with a hollow flow path through which a fluid flows, has a reflection surface that surrounds the fluid and reflects irradiation light emitted to the fluid, and is provided with an optical waveguide including a hollow region, at least a part of the flow path and at least a part of the hollow region being shared. The body part may be tubular or plate-shaped. The body part is made of metal, and the reflection surface may be a surface of the metal.

Description

Optical waveguide device

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical waveguide device.

[0002] Known devices for measuring the optical properties of fluids include the device described in Patent Document 1. Also known is a technique for causing a photochemical reaction by irradiating light onto a fluid while the fluid is flowing through a microchannel provided in a glass chip or the like. Such a technique can be applied to, for example, a microplant.

[0003] Patent No. 5940081

[0004] In measurement devices, optical properties of the fluid to be measured, such as absorption, scattering, and fluorescence properties, are measured. To measure these properties, the fluid is irradiated with irradiating light having a predetermined wavelength, and the power and wavelength of the measured light (transmitted light, scattered light, fluorescence, etc.) resulting from the action of the irradiating light on the fluid are measured. In this case, when irradiating with irradiating light of a certain power, it is preferable to have the irradiating light act on the fluid more effectively and to obtain a larger amount of measured light. In the case of devices for photochemical reactions, it is also preferable to have the irradiating light act on the fluid more effectively.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an optical waveguide device that can more effectively act on a fluid with irradiated light and obtain a larger amount of light to be measured.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention is an optical waveguide device comprising a main body portion having a hollow flow path through which a fluid flows, and an optical waveguide including a hollow region that surrounds the flow path and has a reflective surface that reflects irradiation light irradiated onto the fluid, and at least a portion of the flow path and at least a portion of the hollow region are shared.

[0007] The body may be tubular.

[0008] The main body may be plate-shaped.

[0009] The main body may be made of metal, and the reflecting surface may be a surface of the metal.

[0010] The reflecting surface may be a surface of a reflecting film formed on the surface of a material that constitutes the main body.

[0011] At least a portion of the flow channel or hollow region may be serpentine.

[0012] The device may comprise an optical input section into which the irradiated light is input, and an optical output section that outputs the measured light resulting from the action of the irradiated light on the fluid, and at least one of the optical input section and the optical output section may be made of a material having a higher refractive index in the irradiated light and the measured light than the material constituting the main body section.

[0013] The flow channel may have a fluid mixing region in which a plurality of fluids mix, and at least a part of the fluid mixing region and at least a part of the hollow region in the flow channel may be shared.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is an optical waveguide device comprising a main body having a hollow flow path through which a fluid flows and an optical waveguide having a reflective surface that reflects measured light resulting from the action of irradiated light on the fluid, wherein the optical waveguide surrounds at least a portion of the flow path.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to make the irradiated light act on the fluid more effectively and obtain a larger amount of light to be measured.

[0016] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing modified example 1 of a main body portion in the optical waveguide devices according to embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing modified example 2 of a main body portion in the optical waveguide devices according to embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of a main body portion in the optical waveguide device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 5. FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 5. FIG. 10A is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 6. FIG. 10B is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 6. FIG. 11A is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 7. FIG. 11B is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 7. FIG. 12A is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 8. FIG. 12B is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 8. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the optical waveguide device according to embodiment 8. FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 9. FIG. 15A is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 10. FIG. 15B is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 10. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modified example of the optical waveguide device according to embodiment 10. FIG. 17A is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 11. FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an optical waveguide device according to the eleventh embodiment.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, in the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are appropriately omitted. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element may differ from the actual ones. Even between the drawings, there may be parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios differ from each other.

[0018] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an optical waveguide device 100, and Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide device 100 taken along line AA.

[0019] The optical waveguide device 100 comprises an input optical fiber 1, an optical input section 2, a main body section 3, an optical output section 4, an output optical fiber 5, a fluid input section 6, a fluid output section 7, a fluid input tube 8, and a fluid output tube 9.

[0020] The input optical fiber 1 propagates the irradiation light L1. The irradiation light L1 is light for measuring the optical properties of the fluid O (described later) or light for irradiating the fluid O to cause a photochemical reaction. The light input unit 2 is connected to the input optical fiber 1 and guides the irradiation light L1 into the main body 3. The light input unit 2 may include, for example, a lens.

[0021] The main body 3 is tubular and made of glass in this embodiment. However, the main body 3 may also be made of resin. The main body 3 is provided with a reflective film 10 formed on the surface of the material constituting the main body 3. The reflective film 10 is preferably made of a highly reflective material that reflects the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 (described later) at a reflectance of 50% or more on its surface (reflective surface). The reflective film 10 is made of a metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. The reflective film 10 may also be made of a dielectric material with a high refractive index such as titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide. Furthermore, the reflective film 10 may be made of resin. The reflective film 10 can be formed by, for example, electrolytic plating, chemical vapor deposition, or evaporation.

[0022] A hollow portion 11 is provided inside the reflective film 10 in the main body portion 3. The hollow portion 11 has a diameter of, for example, 1 mm or less, but the size is not limited to this.

[0023] The light output unit 4 is provided on the opposite side of the main body 3 from the light input unit 2. The light output unit 4 couples the light to be measured L2 resulting from the action of the irradiated light L1 on the fluid O to the output optical fiber 5. The light to be measured L2 is transmitted light, scattered light, fluorescent light, or the like. The light to be measured L2 is used to measure the optical characteristics of the fluid O or to confirm a photochemical reaction in the fluid O. The light output unit 4 may include, for example, a lens. The output optical fiber 5 propagates the light to be measured L2 to an external measurement device or the like.

[0024] The fluid input section 6 is a cylindrical section that protrudes from the main body section 3 and is connected to a fluid input pipe 8. The fluid input section 6 introduces a fluid O to be measured, which is supplied from the outside via the fluid input pipe 8, into the hollow section 11. The fluid O is, for example, a gas or a liquid, and is an object whose optical properties are to be measured or an object that will undergo a photochemical reaction when exposed to irradiated light L1.

[0025] The fluid output portion 7 is a cylindrical portion protruding from the main body portion 3 and connected to a fluid output pipe 9. The fluid output portion 7 discharges the fluid O that has flowed through the hollow portion 11 to the outside via the fluid output pipe 9.

[0026] In the optical waveguide device 100 configured as described above, the hollow portion 11 provided in the main body 3 functions as a hollow flow path through which the fluid O flows. The hollow portion 11 as a hollow region and the reflective film 10 form an optical waveguide, and a reflective surface surrounds the hollow portion 11 as a flow path. The illumination light L1 and the light to be measured L2 are reflected by the reflective surface, which is the surface of the reflective film 10, and guided through the optical waveguide including the hollow portion 11. That is, in the optical waveguide device 100, at least a portion of the flow path and at least a portion of the hollow region are shared. As a result, the distance that the illumination light L1 travels through the region through which the fluid O flows is long, allowing the illumination light L1 to act on the fluid more effectively. Furthermore, if the reflective film 10 were not provided, and the fluid O was passed through the hollow portion 11 of the main body 3 to guide the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 through the hollow portion 11, the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 would leak from the hollow portion 11 if the refractive index of the fluid O was lower than the refractive index of the material constituting the main body 3. In contrast, in the optical waveguide device 100, the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 are confined in the hollow portion 11 by the reflective film 10, so that the irradiated light L1 can act on the fluid O more effectively and a larger amount of the measured light L2 can be obtained.

[0027] 2 is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 2. The optical waveguide device 100A has a configuration in which the optical input section 2 and the optical output section 4 in the optical waveguide device 100 shown in FIG. 1 are removed, and an optical input / output section 12 and a reflecting section 13 are added.

[0028] The input optical fiber 1 and the output optical fiber 5 are connected to the optical input / output unit 12. The optical input / output unit 12 has a function of guiding the irradiation light L1 propagating through the input optical fiber 1 into the main body 3, and a function of coupling the measured light L2 output from the main body 3 to the output optical fiber 5.

[0029] The reflecting unit 13 is provided on the opposite side of the main body 3 from the light input / output unit 12. The reflecting unit 13 reflects the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 toward the light input / output unit 12 inside the main body 3. The reflecting unit 13 is preferably configured to have a reflectance of 50% or more for the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2.

[0030] In the optical waveguide device 100A configured as described above, the distance that the irradiated light L1 passes through the area where the fluid O flows is longer than in the optical waveguide device 100, and the measured light L2 reflected by the reflecting section 13 also reaches the optical input / output section 12, so that the irradiated light L1 can act on the fluid O more effectively and more measured light L2 can be obtained.

[0031] (Modifications 1 and 2 of the Main Body) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing Modification 1 of the main body in the optical waveguide device according to Embodiments 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a main body 3B as Modification 1 of the main body 3 may be tubular and made of metal. In this case, the reflecting surfaces of the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 in the optical waveguide are the surfaces of the metal constituting the main body 3B. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Modification 2 of the main body in the optical waveguide device according to Embodiments 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 4, a main body 3C as Modification 1 of the main body 3 may be tubular and made of metal, and a protective film 14 may be formed on the inside. In this case, the protective film 14 has the function of protecting the metal constituting the main body 3C from the fluid O and is made of a material that is transparent to the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2. The protective film 14 is made of, for example, a dielectric or resin. Examples of the dielectric that can be used include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and barium titanate.

[0032] 5A and 5B are schematic configuration diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 5A is a perspective view of an optical waveguide device 100D, and Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide device 100D taken along line BB.

[0033] In the optical waveguide device 100D, the main body 3D is plate-shaped and made of metal. The main body 3D has a hollow portion 11D extending from one side to the other. The hollow portion 11D is sealed by a light input portion 2D and a light output portion 4D serving as optical windows made of a material transparent to the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2.

[0034] In the optical waveguide device 100D configured as described above, the hollow portion 11D functions as a hollow flow path through which the fluid O flows. The hollow portion 11D as a hollow region constitutes an optical waveguide, and the illumination light L1 and the measured light L2 are reflected by the metal reflective surface that is the inner surface of the hollow portion 11D and guided through the optical waveguide including the hollow portion 11D. That is, in the optical waveguide device 100D, at least a portion of the flow path and at least a portion of the hollow region are shared. This allows the illumination light L1 to act on the fluid O more effectively and allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained.

[0035] 6A and 6B are schematic configuration diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 4. Fig. 6A is a perspective view of an optical waveguide device 100E, and Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide device 100E taken along line CC.

[0036] In the optical waveguide device 100E, the main body 3E is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin that is transparent to the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2. The main body 3E has a hollow 11E extending from the front of one side to the front of the other side. From the end of the hollow 11E to the end face of the main body 3E, the glass or resin constituting the main body 3E functions as an optical window for the light input 2E or the light output 4E, sealing the hollow 11E. However, the material constituting the main body 3E does not necessarily have to be transparent. If the material constituting the main body 3E is not transparent, an optical window made of a transparent material is provided as the light input 2E or the light output 4E to seal the hollow 11E. A reflective film 10E made of a metal, dielectric, resin, or the like is provided inside the hollow 11E.

[0037] In the optical waveguide device 100E configured as described above, at least a part of the flow path and at least a part of the hollow region are shared, which allows the irradiation light L1 to act on the fluid O more effectively and allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained.

[0038] 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the optical waveguide device according to embodiment 4. The optical waveguide device 100EA has a configuration in which a fluid input section 6EA and a fluid input pipe 8EA are added to the optical waveguide device 100E.

[0039] The fluid input portion 6EA is a cylindrical portion protruding from the main body portion 3E and connected to a fluid input pipe 8EA. The fluid input portion 6EA introduces a fluid O1, which is different from the fluid O and is supplied from the outside via the fluid input pipe 8EA, into the hollow portion 11D. The fluid O1 is, for example, a gas or liquid, and is a fluid to be mixed with the fluid O.

[0040] In the optical waveguide device 100EA, the fluid O and the fluid O1 are mixed in a fluid mixing region MA in the hollow portion 11D. The fluid mixing region MA is a region between the fluid input portion 6EA and the fluid output portion 7 in the hollow portion 11D. The fluid output portion 7 then discharges the fluid O2 to the outside via the fluid output pipe 9. The fluid O2 is a fluid obtained by mixing the fluid O and the fluid O1, a fluid produced by a chemical reaction of the mixed fluid, or a fluid containing both of these fluids.

[0041] In the optical waveguide device 100EA configured as described above, at least a portion of the fluid mixing region MA where multiple fluids mix and at least a portion of the hollow region are shared. This makes it easy to grasp the mixed state of the fluids in the entire fluid mixing region MA. Understanding the mixed state in this way makes it possible to, for example, design flow paths and set conditions to improve reaction speed.

[0042] Conventionally, since the fluid mixing region is usually several millimeters long, it has been difficult to grasp the mixing state of the entire fluid mixing region.

[0043] In this embodiment, the fluid mixing region is linear, but it may also be serpentine. A serpentine fluid mixing region allows for more efficient fluid mixing for the following reasons: If the fluid mixing region is serpentine, the fluids will flow in a meandering manner, making it easier for turbulence to occur. Such turbulence promotes fluid mixing, resulting in more uniform mixing. Furthermore, if the fluid mixing region is serpentine, the surface area of ​​the flow path increases, increasing the opportunities for the fluid to come into contact with the wall surfaces of the flow path. This promotes diffusion and improves mixing efficiency. Furthermore, if the fluid mixing region is serpentine, changes in the fluid flow rate will occur, promoting the intermixing of fluid layers. This allows for more rapid and uniform mixing.

[0044] (Modification of Main Body) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the main body in the optical waveguide device according to embodiment 3. As shown in Fig. 8, a protective film 14F may be formed on the inside of the main body 3D. In this case, the protective film 14F has a function of protecting the metal constituting the main body 3D from the fluid O, and is made of a material that is transparent to the irradiation light L1 and the measured light L2.

[0045] 9A and 9B are schematic configuration diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 5. Fig. 9A is a perspective view of an optical waveguide device 100G, and Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide device 100G taken along line DD.

[0046] In the optical waveguide device 100G, the main body 3G is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin that is transparent to the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2. The main body 3G has a hollow portion 11G extending from the front of one side to the front of the other side. From the end of the hollow portion 11G to the end face of the main body 3G, the glass or resin that makes up the main body 3G functions as an optical window for the light input portion 2G or the light output portion 4G, sealing the hollow portion 11G. A reflective film 10G made of a metal, dielectric, or resin is provided to surround the main body 3G. However, the reflective film 10G is not provided in the areas of the light input portion 2G and the light output portion 4G. In this case, the entire main body 3G surrounded by the reflective film 10G functions as an optical waveguide, but the hollow portion 11G is included within this optical waveguide.

[0047] In the optical waveguide device 100G configured as described above, at least a part of the flow path and at least a part of the hollow region are shared, which allows the irradiation light L1 to act on the fluid O more effectively and allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained.

[0048] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 6. Fig. 10A is a perspective view of an optical waveguide device 100H, and Fig. 10B is a top view of the optical waveguide device 100H.

[0049] In the optical waveguide device 100H, the main body 3H is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin. The main body 3H has a hollow region 11H extending from the front of one side to the front of the other side. From the end of the hollow region 11H to the end face of the main body 3H, the transparent glass or resin constituting the main body 3H may function as an optical window for the light input portion 2H or the light output portion 4H, sealing the hollow region 11H. Alternatively, a separate optical window made of a transparent material may be provided as the light input portion 2H or the light output portion 4H, sealing the hollow region 11H. A reflective film made of a metal, dielectric, resin, or the like is provided inside the hollow region 11H.

[0050] The main body 3H is provided with a meandering flow path 15H, a portion of which is shared with the hollow portion 11H.

[0051] In the optical waveguide device 100H configured as described above, at least a part of the flow path and at least a part of the hollow region are shared, which allows the irradiation light L1 to act on the fluid O more effectively and allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained.

[0052] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 7. Fig. 11A is a perspective view of an optical waveguide device 100I, and Fig. 11B is a top view of the optical waveguide device 100I.

[0053] In the optical waveguide device 100I, the main body 3I is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin. The main body 3I has a meandering hollow portion 11I as a hollow region. From the end of the hollow portion 11I to the end face of the main body 3I, the transparent glass or resin constituting the main body 3I may function as an optical window for the light input portion 2I or the light output portion 4I, sealing the hollow portion 11I. Alternatively, a separate optical window made of a transparent material may be provided as the light input portion 2I or the light output portion 4I, sealing the hollow portion 11I. A reflective film made of a metal, dielectric, resin, or the like is provided inside the hollow portion 11I.

[0054] The main body 3I is provided with a meandering flow path 15I, the entire flow path 15I being shared with the hollow portion 11H.

[0055] In the optical waveguide device 100I configured as described above, at least a part of the flow path and at least a part of the hollow region are shared, which allows the irradiation light L1 to act on the fluid O more effectively and allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained.

[0056] 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 7. Fig. 12A is a top view of an optical waveguide device 100J, and Fig. 12B is an enlarged view of area Ar1. Note that the fluid input tube 8 and the fluid output tube 9 are omitted from the illustration.

[0057] The main body 3J of the optical waveguide device 100J includes a hollow portion 11J and a meandering flow path 15J similar to the hollow portion 11H and the meandering flow path 15H of the optical waveguide device 100H shown in Fig. 10. The main body 3J is made of glass or resin. A reflective film 10J made of a metal, dielectric material, resin, or the like is provided inside the hollow portion 11J.

[0058] 12B, the optical waveguide device 100J includes an optical input portion 2J in a portion (area Ar1) where the hollow portion 11J and the flow path 15J branch off. The optical input portion 2J is made of a material that is transparent to the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2. A reflective film 10J is provided between the optical input portion 2J and the main body portion 3J. Similarly, the optical waveguide device 100J includes an optical output portion in area Ar2, which has the same configuration as the optical input portion 2J.

[0059] In this embodiment, the optical input section 2J and the optical output section have the same configuration, but either the optical input section or the optical output section may have the same configuration as the optical input section 2J.

[0060] (Modification) Figure 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the optical waveguide device according to the eighth embodiment. As in the optical waveguide device 100K of Figure 13, a reflective film 10J does not have to be provided between the light input portion 2J and the main body portion 3J. Even in this case, the irradiated light L1 is guided in the light input portion 2J due to the difference in refractive index between the light input portion 2J and the main body portion 3J. The light input portion 2J is preferably made of a material having a higher refractive index for the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 than the material constituting the main body portion 3J. Such a material is, for example, zinc sulfide.

[0061] Here, since the fluid O may have a high refractive index, if the optical input portion and the optical output portion are made of the same material as the material constituting the main body 3J, the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2 may be significantly reflected at the interface between the fluid O and the optical input portion and the optical output portion. In contrast, the optical waveguide device 100K includes an optical input portion 2J with a relatively high refractive index and an optical output portion similar to the optical input portion 2J, thereby suppressing reflection at the interface. In particular, a material with a refractive index similar to that of the fluid O is preferred as the material constituting the optical input portion 2J.

[0062] (Embodiment 9) Figure 14 is a schematic top view of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 9. In this optical waveguide device 100L, the main body 3L is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin. The main body 3L is provided with a linear hollow portion 11L and a Y-shaped flow path 15L. The flow path 15L has a first flow path 15La, a second flow path 15Lb, and a third flow path 15Lc. Note that, although indicated by solid lines in Figure 15, the hollow portion 11L and the flow path 15L are provided inside the main body 3L.

[0063] A reflective film 10L is provided inside the hollow portion 11L. One end of the hollow portion 11L is open and forms the light input portion 2L. The other end of the hollow portion 11L is adjacent to the flow path 15L via a partition wall 3La. The partition wall 3La is made of a material such as glass or resin that is transparent to the irradiation light L1 and the measured light L2, and separates the hollow portion 11L from the flow path 15L. Of the flow paths 15L, a third flow path 15Lc is positioned in the same straight line as the hollow portion 11L. At the end of the third flow path 15Lc opposite the partition wall 3La, the transparent glass or resin constituting the main body 3L may function as an optical window serving as the light output portion 4L, sealing the flow path 15L. Alternatively, a separate optical window made of a transparent material may be provided as the light output portion 4L and sealing the flow path 15L.

[0064] The first flow path 15La is provided with a fluid input port 6a. The second flow path 15Lb is provided with a fluid input port 6b. The third flow path 15Lc is provided with a fluid output port 7. A reflective film 10L is provided on the inside of the flow path 15L except for the surfaces of the partition wall portions 3La of the first flow path 15La and the second flow path 15Lb and the surfaces adjacent thereto. Fluid input pipes are connected to the fluid input ports 6a and 6b, and a fluid output pipe is connected to the fluid output port 7.

[0065] In the optical waveguide device 100L configured as described above, the fluid to be measured is supplied from the fluid input portions 6a and 6b to the first flow path 15La and the second flow path 15Lb, flows through the first flow path 15La and the second flow path 15Lb, and further flows through the third flow path 15Lc before being discharged from the fluid output portion 7. Meanwhile, the irradiation light L1 input from the light input portion 2 is guided through the hollow portion 11L, passes through the partition portion 3La, is guided through the third flow path 15Lc, and is output from the light output portion 4. Furthermore, if the light to be measured L2 is transmitted light, it is guided through the third flow path 15Lc and is output from the light output portion 4. If the light to be measured L2 is scattered light or fluorescent light, the light components reflected by the reflective films 10L of the first flow path 15La and the second flow path 15Lb are also guided through the third flow path 15Lc and are output from the light output portion 4. In this way, in the optical waveguide device 100L, at least the third flow path 15Lc functions as an optical waveguide including a hollow region.

[0066] In this way, in the optical waveguide device 100L, at least a part of the flow path and at least a part of the hollow region are shared, which allows the irradiation light L1 to act on the fluid O more effectively and allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained.

[0067] Although the optical waveguide device 100L is provided with both fluid input units 6a and 6b, one of them may not be provided. Furthermore, the fluid supplied from the fluid input unit 6a and the fluid supplied from the fluid input unit 6b may be the same type of fluid or different types of fluid. For example, in the optical waveguide device 100L, the fluid supplied from the fluid input unit 6a and the fluid supplied from the fluid input unit 6b may be different types of fluid, and the different types of fluids may be irradiated with the irradiation light L1 to synthesize a new substance through a photochemical reaction.

[0068] 15A and 15B are schematic configuration diagrams of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 10. Fig. 15A is a top view of an optical waveguide device 100M, and Fig. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide device 100M taken along line EE.

[0069] In this optical waveguide device 100M, the main body 3M is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin. The main body 3M is provided with a hollow, U-shaped flow path 16 and a linear optical waveguide 17 that intersects with the flow path 16. A fluid input pipe is connected to the fluid input portion 6, and a fluid output pipe is connected to the fluid output portion 7.

[0070] The optical waveguide 17 has a hollow structure and is provided with a reflective film 10M inside. When viewed from above, the width of the optical waveguide 17 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide 17 is wider at the portion where it intersects with the flow path 16. One end of the optical waveguide 17 is open and forms an optical input section 2M, and the other end of the optical waveguide 17 is open and forms an optical output section 4M.

[0071] In the optical waveguide device 100M configured as described above, the fluid to be measured is supplied from the fluid input unit 6 to the flow path 16, flows through the flow path 16, and is discharged from the fluid output unit 7. Meanwhile, the illumination light L1 input from the light input unit 2M is reflected by the reflective film 10M, guided through the optical waveguide 17, and irradiated onto the fluid flowing through the flow path 16.

[0072] Here, when the measured light L2 is scattered light or fluorescent light, the measured light L2 is emitted in various directions. In the optical waveguide device 100M, the optical waveguide 17 surrounds at least a portion of the flow path 16, so that the measured light L2 emitted in various directions is reflected by the reflective film 10M, guided through the optical waveguide 17, and output from the optical output unit 4M. This allows a larger amount of measured light L2 to be obtained. Furthermore, a portion of the irradiation light L1 that has passed through the flow path 16 is reflected by the reflective film 10M and irradiated onto the fluid again, so that the irradiation light L1 can act on the fluid more effectively.

[0073] (Modification) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification of the optical waveguide device according to the tenth embodiment. Like the main body 3N of the optical waveguide device 100N in FIG. 16, the optical waveguide 17N may not be hollow but may be filled with a medium 18 that is transparent to the irradiated light L1 and the measured light L2. The medium 18 may be, for example, glass or resin. In this case, the optical waveguide 17N surrounds at least a portion of the flow path 16. Therefore, the measured light L2 emitted in various directions due to the irradiated light L1 input from the light input unit 2N is reflected by the reflective film 10N, guided through the optical waveguide 17N, and output from the light output unit 4N. This allows a larger amount of the measured light L2 to be obtained and allows the irradiated light L1 to act on the fluid more effectively.

[0074] 17A and 17B are schematic diagrams of the configuration of an optical waveguide device according to embodiment 11. Fig. 17A is a top view of an optical waveguide device 100O, and Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the optical waveguide device 100O taken along line FF.

[0075] In this optical waveguide device 100O, the main body 3O is plate-shaped and made of glass or resin. The main body 3O is provided with a hollow, U-shaped flow path 16 and a linear optical waveguide 17O that intersects with the flow path 16. A fluid input pipe is connected to the fluid input portion 6, and a fluid output pipe is connected to the fluid output portion 7.

[0076] The optical waveguide 17O has a hollow structure and is provided with a reflective film 10O on the inside, but the reflective film 10O is not provided directly above the flow path 16, leaving an opening that functions as the light input section 2O. The optical waveguide device 100O also includes a lens 19 for guiding the irradiation light L1 to the light input section 2O. The width of the optical waveguide 17O, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide 17O when viewed from above, is wider at the portion that intersects with the flow path 16. One end of the optical waveguide 17O is open, and forms the light output section 4O.

[0077] In the optical waveguide device 100O configured as described above, the fluid to be measured is supplied from the fluid input unit 6 to the flow path 16, flows through the flow path 16, and is discharged from the fluid output unit 7. Meanwhile, the illumination light L1 input from the light input unit 2O is reflected by the reflective film 10O, guided through the optical waveguide 17O, and irradiated onto the fluid flowing through the flow path 16.

[0078] Here, when the measured light L2 is scattered light or fluorescent light, the measured light L2 is emitted in various directions. In the optical waveguide device 100O, the optical waveguide 17O surrounds at least a portion of the flow path 16, so that the measured light L2 emitted in various directions is reflected by the reflective film 10O, guided through the optical waveguide 17O, and output from the light output unit 4O. This allows a larger amount of measured light L2 to be obtained. Furthermore, a portion of the irradiation light L1 that has passed through the flow path 16 is reflected by the reflective film 10O and irradiated onto the fluid again, so that the irradiation light L1 can act on the fluid more effectively.

[0079] As a modification of this embodiment, the optical waveguide 17O may be filled with a medium transparent to the irradiating light L1 and the measured light L2, as in an optical waveguide device 100N shown in FIG.

[0080] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations in which the above-described components are appropriately combined. Furthermore, further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0081] The present invention can be used, for example, in an apparatus for measuring the optical properties of a fluid.

[0082] 1: Input light vane 2, 2D, 2E, 2G, 2H, 2I, 2J, 2L, 2M, 2N, 2O: Light input section 3, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3G, 3H, 3I, 3J, 3L, 3M, 3N, 3O: Main body section 3La: Partition wall section 4, 4D, 4E, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4L, 4M, 4N, 4O: ​​Light output section 5: Output light vane 6, 6a, 6b, 6EA: Fluid input section 7: Fluid output section 8, 8EA: Fluid input pipe 9: Fluid output pipe 10, 10E, 10G, 10J, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10O : Reflective film 11, 11D, 11E, 11G, 11H, 11I, 11J, 11L : Hollow part 12 : Light input and output part 13 : Reflective part 14, 14F : Protective film 15H, 15I, 15J, 15L, 16 : Flow path 15La : 1st flow path 15Lb : 2nd flow path 15Lc : 3rd flow path 17, 17N, 17O :Optical waveguide 18 :Media 19 :レンズ100, 100A, 100D, 100E, 100EA, 100G, 100H, 100I, 100J, 100K, 100L, 100M, 100N, 100O : Optical waveguide device Ar1, Ar2 : Area L1 : Irradiation light L2 : Measured light MA : Fluid mixing areas O, O1, O2 : Fluid

Claims

1. An optical waveguide device comprising: a main body having a hollow flow path through which a fluid flows; and an optical waveguide surrounding the flow path and having a reflective surface that reflects light irradiated onto the fluid, the optical waveguide including a hollow region, wherein at least a portion of the flow path and at least a portion of the hollow region are shared.

2. The optical waveguide device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is tubular.

3. The optical waveguide device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is plate-shaped.

4. The optical waveguide device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of metal, and the reflecting surface is a surface of the metal.

5. The optical waveguide device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is the surface of a reflecting film formed on the surface of the material that constitutes the main body.

6. The optical waveguide device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flow path or the hollow region is meandering.

7. An optical waveguide device according to claim 1, comprising an optical input section to which the irradiated light is input, and an optical output section to output the light to be measured resulting from the action of the irradiated light on the fluid, wherein at least one of the optical input section and the optical output section is made of a material having a higher refractive index for the irradiated light and the light to be measured than a material constituting the main body section.

8. The optical waveguide device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path has a fluid mixing region in which a plurality of fluids mix, and at least a portion of the fluid mixing region in the flow path and at least a portion of the hollow region are shared.

9. An optical waveguide device comprising a main body provided with a hollow flow path through which a fluid flows and an optical waveguide having a reflective surface that reflects light to be measured resulting from the action of light irradiated onto the fluid, wherein the optical waveguide surrounds at least a portion of the flow path.

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