Adjustable Spectral Radiation Source Without Moving Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating electromagnetic radiation with adjustable spectral composition are limited by the use of mechanically movable parts, high costs, and restricted miniaturization, particularly in optical spectral analysis, where they often result in increased overhead, heating of samples, and interference effects such as speckles.
Innovation Solution
A radiation generation device comprising multiple radiation elements that can be activated independently, a dispersive optical element, and an optical opening, allowing for adjustable spectral composition by selectively activating the elements and deflecting radiation based on wavelength and position, enabling flexible selection and superposition of spectral components without mechanically movable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a monochromator with mechanically movable dispersive element is used, then spectral analysis can be performed, but the system overhead increases and miniaturization is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically movable dispersive element with a fixed dispersive element (grating or prism) combined with an array of detectors. The spectral separation is achieved optically rather than mechanically, eliminating moving parts while maintaining spectral analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the spectrum into multiple wavelength components using the dispersive element and detects each component simultaneously with separate detectors in the array, replacing the single moving detector with multiple stationary detectors.
2Productivity
If an arrangement of several radiation detectors is used, then spectral constituents can be detected simultaneously, but the effort and cost increase particularly in the infrared wavelength range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single dispersive element to perform the function of multiple wavelength-specific optical paths, while the detector array provides simultaneous multi-wavelength detection. This unified optical design reduces the overall system effort compared to multiple independent detection systems.
3Illumination intensity
If high optical power is used to illuminate the sample, then detection sensitivity improves, but the sample is heated and the measurement is influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total optical power across multiple detectors, allowing each detector to receive sufficient power for sensitive detection without concentrating excessive power on the sample. The dispersive element distributes the spectrum spatially, enabling lower total illumination power while maintaining detection sensitivity.
4Volume of moving object
If the radiation source size is reduced for miniaturization, then portability improves, but the system integration becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical moving parts with a fixed optical system and detector array, the patent enables compact integration of all components in a small volume, allowing miniaturization while maintaining full spectral analysis functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for a compact, cost-effective, and robust light source with adjustable spectral composition, reducing heating and interference issues, and enabling high energy efficiency and miniaturization, suitable for portable and high-resolution spectral analysis applications.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersive optical element configured to deflect electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength- and position-dependent manner
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation generation device for generating resulting electromagnetic radiation having an adjustable spectral composition includes: a multitude of radiation elements (configured to generate a radiation element specific electromagnetic radiation, respectively, upon being activated, a first radiation element of the multitude of radiation elements being activatable independently of a second radiation element of the multitude of radiation elements; a dispersive optical element; and an optical opening; the dispersive optical element being configured to deflect the radiation element specific electromagnetic radiations, in dependence on their wavelength and on a position of the radiation element generating the respective radiation element specific electromagnetic radiation, such that a particular spectral range of each of the radiation element specific electromagnetic radiations may exit through the optical opening, so that the spectral composition of the resulting electromagnetic radiation exiting through the optical opening is adjustable by selectively activating the multitude of radiation elements.