Aspheric Corrector Lens for Dyson Spectrometer Aberration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dyson spectrometers face challenges in mounting detector arrays close to the refracting element due to the need for significant thermal cycling, which introduces spherical aberration and degrades image quality, especially at high throughput systems with fast focal ratios.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an aspheric optical corrector lens between the refractor element and the diffraction grating to correct spherical aberration, allowing for increased distance between the detector and the refracting element without compromising image quality, and using a radially aspheric diffraction grating to further improve focal plane accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the detector array is positioned close to the refracting element to maintain compact size, then the instrument volume is reduced, but spherical aberration increases and image quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument volumeVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An aspheric corrector plate is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the refracting element and the detector array. This corrector plate compensates for spherical aberration introduced by the compact configuration, enabling the detector to be positioned closer to the refracting element while maintaining image quality. The corrector plate acts as a mediator that allows the compact form factor to coexist with high image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the detector array is positioned far from the refracting element to reduce spherical aberration, then image quality improves, but the instrument volume increases and packaging becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidinstrument volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The aspheric corrector plate serves as a mediator that enables the detector array to be positioned at a reduced distance from the refracting element while maintaining image quality. Without this corrector plate, increasing image quality would require a larger separation distance and thus larger instrument volume. The corrector plate allows compact packaging by optically compensating for the reduced separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If thermal cycling is performed to accommodate detector mounting, then detector integration is enabled, but spherical aberration is introduced and image quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector integrationVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aspheric corrector plate is positioned in the optical path to compensate for spherical aberration that arises from thermal cycling and detector mounting procedures. This corrector plate enables easy detector integration through thermal cycling while maintaining image quality by optically correcting the aberrations introduced during the manufacturing and integration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 relaxes packaging constraints, enabling the use of Dyson spectrometers in a wider range of applications with improved image quality and increased focal plane relief, while maintaining low distortion and high throughput.

Implementation Method 1

a corrector lens positioned between the refractor element and the diffraction grating such that the image is provided to the detector corrected for a spherical aberration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical aberration correction: Lens

Implementation Method 2

The diffraction grating faces the front surface of the refractor element, and is configured to spectrally disperse and reimage the image of the slit toward the front surface of the refractor element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction Grating

Implementation Method 3

The refractor element includes a rear surface and a front surface. The slit is configured to transmit an image incident thereupon along an optical path to the rear surface of the refractor element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS7609381B2Compact, high-throughput spectrometer apparatus for hyperspectral remote sensing

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

A spectrometer apparatus includes a refractor element, a slit, a detector, a diffraction grating, and a corrector lens. The refractor element includes a rear surface and a front surface. The slit provides an optical path to the rear surface of the refractor element, and is configured to transmit an image incident thereupon along the optical path. The detector is positioned facing the rear surface of the refractor element. The diffraction grating faces the front surface of the refractor element, and is configured to spectrally disperse and reimage the image of the slit toward the front surface of the refractor element. The corrector lens is positioned between the refractor element and the diffraction grating such that the image is provided to the detector corrected for a spherical aberration caused by a separation distance between the detector and the rear surface of the refractor element.