Compact Catadioptric Spectrometer with Integrated Refractive-Reflective Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic measurement techniques for high-throughput screening in biotechnology and material characterization require large and complex setups due to the need for multiple spectrometers or hyperspectral imaging, leading to inefficiencies in processing multiple samples simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical characterization system utilizing a diffractive element, detector, and optical element with a refractive and reflective surface integrated on the same side, allowing for efficient collimation and focusing of illumination beams, reducing the number of optical reflections and stray light, and enabling simultaneous spectroscopic measurements of multiple samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple spectrometers or hyperspectral imaging are used to process multiple samples simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spectrometer functions into a single compact device by integrating a diffractive element that can simultaneously direct light from multiple samples to a common detector array. This merging approach allows parallel processing of multiple samples while maintaining a simple, unified system structure rather than requiring separate spectrometers for each sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is designed to perform multiple functions: it can receive light from different samples, diffract it according to wavelength, and direct it to appropriate detector elements. This universal optical component enables the system to handle multiple samples simultaneously without requiring separate dedicated optical paths for each sample.
2Measurement precision
If a classic Czerny-Turner configuration with multiple mirrors is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple mirrors (collimating mirror and focusing mirror) into a single integrated optical element. This element simultaneously performs collimation and focusing operations that would traditionally require separate mirrors, thereby reducing the total number of optical elements while maintaining the measurement precision of the classic Czerny-Turner configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is designed with multiple functional surfaces that can perform different optical operations (collimation, diffraction, focusing) within a single component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated optical elements for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If more optical reflections are used to direct light to the detector, then measurement precision is improved, but stray light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful stray light paths from the optical system by using a diffractive element that selectively directs only the desired spectral information to the detector. The diffractive structure is designed to separate useful signal light from stray light based on their angular and spectral characteristics, allowing the harmful stray light to be excluded from the detection path.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive element serves as an intermediary between the incident light and the detector. It mediates the light paths by selectively diffracting useful spectral information toward the detector while blocking stray light through its specific diffraction pattern, thereby reducing stray light without sacrificing measurement precision.
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 system achieves efficient and sensitive spectroscopic measurements with reduced manufacturing effort, minimizing stray light and optical reflections, and allowing for the characterization of multiple samples in parallel with improved accuracy and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
the optical element having a refractive surface for refractively collimating the received illumination beam on the diffractive element
Implementation Method 2
a diffractive element, a detector and an optical element, the optical element adapted for receiving at a first side of the optical element an illumination beam after interaction with the material to be characterised
Implementation Method 3
the optical element having a reflective surface for reflectively focussing the diffracted illumination beam on the detector
Data Source
AI summary
An optical characterisation system is described for characterising optical material. The system typically comprises a diffractive element (104), a detector (106) and an optical element (102). The optical element (102) thereby typically is adapted for receiving an illumination beam, which may be an illumination response of the material. The optical element (102) typically has a refractive surface for refractively collimating the illumination beam on the diffractive element (104) and a reflective surface for reflecting the diffracted illumination beam on the detector (106). The optical element (102) furthermore is adapted for cooperating with the diffractive element (104) and the detector (106) being positioned at a same side of the optical element (102) opposite to the receiving side for receiving the illumination beam.