Broadband Light Coupling to Integrated Waveguides for Fluid Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated optical devices face challenges in achieving high spectral resolution and efficient coupling of light from inexpensive broadband sources, such as LEDs, due to high etendue, which reduces the accuracy of optical absorption measurements in fluids as a function of wavelength.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a broadband light source, integrated optical waveguides, and a light coupler with a collimator and beam shaper that distributes light evenly across multiple waveguides, allowing for efficient coupling and spectral analysis to generate an absorption spectrum with high resolution, using a microfluidic channel for fluid interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lasers or tuneable lasers are used to achieve multi-spectral measurements, then spectral measurement capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the broadband light spectrum into multiple spectral components using a diffraction grating, directing different wavelength ranges to different waveguides. This segmentation approach replaces the need for multiple lasers with a single broadband source, reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-spectral measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
A single broadband light source is designed to provide multiple spectral components simultaneously, making it serve multiple functions that would otherwise require separate laser sources. This universal approach reduces both cost and device complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If inexpensive broadband light sources like LEDs are used, then device cost is reduced, but coupling efficiency into integrated waveguides deteriorates due to high etendue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadband light into multiple spectral bands and directs each band to dedicated waveguides. This segmentation reduces the etendue requirement for each individual waveguide coupling, thereby improving coupling efficiency while maintaining the use of inexpensive LED sources
Solution Approach 2:
A diffraction grating is introduced as an intermediary optical element that spatially separates different spectral components of the broadband light. This intermediary enables efficient coupling of specific wavelength ranges into individual waveguides, overcoming the high etendue limitation of LED sources
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 enables cost-effective, high-efficiency multi-spectral optical absorption measurements, improving the detection and quantification of biological and chemical agents, and enhancing applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and gas sampling.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of integrated optical waveguides for guiding this light
Implementation Method 2
measuring an optical absorption property of a fluid as a function of wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a device for measuring an optical absorption property of a fluid as function of wavelength. The device comprises a broadband light source for emitting light, a plurality of integrated optical waveguides for guiding this light and a light coupler for coupling the emitted light into the integrated optical waveguides such that the light coupled into each integrated optical waveguide has substantially the same spectral distribution. The device also comprises a microfluidic channel for containing the fluid, arranged such as to allow an interaction of the light propagating through each waveguide with the fluid in the microfluidic channel, and a plurality of spectral analysis devices optically coupled to corresponding waveguides—such as to receive the light after interaction with the fluid. The spectral analysis devices are adapted for generating a signal representative of a plurality of spectral components of the light.