Analytical Analyzer Illumination Homogeneity via Opaque Grid Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analytical analyzers face issues with inhomogeneous illumination due to imperfections in field lens arrays, leading to reduced comparability and accuracy in signal evaluation, particularly in parallel sample monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an opaque grid over the edges of field lens elements in the illumination path to mask imperfections, ensuring uniform illumination across the sample area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If field lens elements are arranged to form a field lens array, then light collection efficiency is improved, but illumination homogeneity deteriorates due to manufacturing imperfections and alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling lens is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the field lens array and the sample plate. This coupling lens acts as a mediator that redistributes light from the imperfect field lens elements, compensating for their manufacturing and alignment errors while maintaining the light collection benefits of the field lens array configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a coupling lens with specific focal length and positioning it at a determined distance from the field lens array. This parameter adjustment transforms the light distribution pattern, converting the inhomogeneous output of the field lens array into a more uniform illumination pattern on the sample plate.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple field lens elements are used to cover the sample area, then illumination coverage is improved, but alignment imperfections cause intensity variations across different sample positions
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling lens serves as an intermediary that receives light from multiple field lens elements and redistributes it uniformly across the sample area. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain wide coverage while correcting the intensity variations caused by individual lens element misalignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lens is specifically designed to produce a homogeneous light distribution pattern across the sample plate. By optimizing its focal length and position, the system achieves uniform illumination intensity across all sample positions, enabling accurate signal comparison between different samples.
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
Enhances illumination homogeneity, reducing intensity differences between sample positions from 30% to below 5%, improving signal comparability and accuracy in analytical workflows.
Implementation Method 1
a field lens array including a plurality of field lens elements arranged over the sample area so that the illumination light and the light emitted from the sample traverses through the field lens array
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
In one general aspect, the present disclosure relates to an analytical analyzer (100) including a sample support (107) defining a sample area, an illumination assembly (109) configured to illuminate the sample area with illumination light (9), a matrix detector (6) and a detection assembly (111) configured to image light (7) emitted from the sample area onto the matrix detector (6). The analytical analyzer (100) further includes a field lens array (18) including a plurality of field lens elements (202) arranged over the sample area so that the illumination light (9) and the light (7) emitted from the sample traverses through the field lens array (18) and an opaque grid (103) arranged to cover the edges of each of the plurality of field lens elements (202).