Birefringent Plate Condenser for Compact Spectrometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers, particularly those designed for smartphone use, face challenges such as large size, low resolution, narrow spectral range, low sensitivity, and limited field of view, making them unsuitable for field applications and failing to leverage the capabilities of smartphone cameras effectively.
Innovation Solution
A high-throughput point source light coupling structure utilizing a birefringent plate configuration combined with a condenser and point source, which provides high light collection efficiency, wide incidence angle, and broad spectral range, enabling a compact, high-resolution spectrometer suitable for mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectrometer configurations are used, then measurement capability is achieved, but device size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested optical path design where the reference light path and sample light path are overlaid within the same physical space. The reference mirror and sample mirror are positioned such that their reflected beams travel through shared optical components, effectively nesting one optical path within another to reduce overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear optical paths to a three-dimensional folded optical design. By using multiple mirrors at different angles and positions, the optical paths are folded back on themselves, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions to compact the overall instrument footprint while maintaining sufficient optical path length for spectral resolution.
2Volume of moving object
If compact spectrometer designs are implemented, then device size is reduced, but light throughput and sensitivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic optimization of the optical path design, where the angles and positions of mirrors are specifically configured to maximize light collection efficiency. The optical path is designed to capture light from a wider acceptance angle while maintaining compact dimensions, dynamically optimizing the balance between size and light throughput through geometric configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key optical parameters including the numerical aperture of the objective lens, the spacing between optical components, and the angles of incidence on mirrors to optimize light throughput. By adjusting these parameters within constrained dimensions, the design achieves high sensitivity despite compact size.
3Measurement precision
If traditional optical paths are used, then spectral range is limited, but optical path length can be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional folding of the optical path to achieve extended effective optical path length within a compact footprint. By reflecting light multiple times between mirrors positioned in different spatial planes, the design accumulates sufficient optical path length for broad spectral coverage without requiring a linearly long instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a broadband beam splitter and wide-band anti-reflection coatings on optical components from the design stage to ensure high transmission efficiency across a broad spectral range (380-1100 nm). These preliminary optical design choices enable the compact instrument to achieve extended spectral coverage without loss of throughput.
4Measurement precision
If conventional optical designs are implemented, then spectral resolution is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reference arm and sample arm into a single integrated interferometer module with shared optical components. The beam splitter, mirrors, and detection optics are merged into a compact configuration where both measurement paths coexist within the same physical housing, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs optical components to serve multiple functions: the beam splitter simultaneously divides light for both reference and sample paths while maintaining polarization control; the mirrors are positioned to both fold the optical path and provide adjustable alignment; the detector captures interferograms from both paths. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies the overall system.
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
The solution results in a spectrometer with enhanced sensitivity (20 times improvement), high resolution (5-10 times improvement), and a broad spectral range (380-1100 nm), while being ultra-compact and lightweight, facilitating broader adoption in various fields and applications.
Implementation Method 1
A high-throughput point source light coupling structure utilizing a birefringent plate configuration combined with a condenser and point source
Implementation Method 2
A high-throughput point source light coupling structure utilizing a birefringent plate configuration combined with a condenser and point source, which provides high light collection efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods which provide a high-throughput point source light coupling structure implementing a condenser configured according to one or more condenser configuration rules are described. Embodiments of a high-throughput point source light coupling structure utilize a birefringent plate configuration in combination with a condenser and point source to provide a light coupler structure for a birefringent-static-Fourier transform interferometer implementation. According to some examples, the optical axis of a first and second birefringent plate of a birefringent plate configuration are not in the same plane. A condenser of a high-throughput point source light coupling structure of embodiments is provided in a defined (e.g., spaced, relational, etc.) relationship with respect to the point source and/or a camera lens used in capturing an interference pattern generated by the light coupling structure. High-throughput point source light coupling structures herein may be provided as external accessories for processor-based mobile devices having image capturing capabilities.