Compact Monochromatic Light Source for Variable Path Length Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometers face challenges in accurately measuring highly concentrated biological samples without dilution, requiring extensive installation space and time-consuming data collection for variable path length measurements.
Innovation Solution
A compact monochromatic light source system using a light emitting diode (LED) coupled with a narrow bandpass filter and a movable optic probe to vary path length, enabling rapid concentration measurements in a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a UV/visible spectrophotometer system is used for variable path length measurements, then concentration measurement capability is improved, but the system occupies extensive installation space and requires extensive installation effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a compact light source unit with LED and bandpass filter, a movable probe assembly with sample chamber, and a detector unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall footprint compared to a traditional integrated UV/visible spectrophotometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential components needed for absorption measurements at a specific wavelength, removing unnecessary components of traditional spectrophotometers such as monochromators, gratings, and detectors that scan across broad spectra. This extraction results in a dramatically reduced system size while maintaining concentration measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If a UV/visible spectrophotometer system is used for variable path length measurements, then concentration measurement capability is improved, but the measurement time becomes extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic movement of the probe assembly to vary the optical path length through the sample. The probe moves to predetermined positions corresponding to different path lengths, enabling rapid sequential measurements at multiple path lengths without the time-consuming spectral scanning of traditional instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical path length parameter by moving the probe assembly to different positions relative to the sample chamber. This allows the system to perform multiple absorbance measurements at different path lengths, enabling concentration determination without dilution while maintaining rapid measurement times.
3Productivity
If a compact light source with narrow bandpass filter is used, then measurement speed is improved, but the light source bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A narrow bandpass filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the sample. This filter selects a specific wavelength range from the broader LED emission spectrum, providing monochromatic light suitable for absorption measurements while maintaining the compactness and speed advantages of the LED source.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical monochromators with grating or prism-based systems with a simpler LED plus bandpass filter configuration. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts for wavelength selection, dramatically reducing measurement time while providing sufficient spectral selectivity for concentration measurements.
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 allows for accurate concentration determination of fluid samples without dilution, reducing measurement time and space requirements, suitable for integration into various processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode (LED), to generate a probe signal at a first bandwidth
Implementation Method 2
a narrow bandpass filter disposed to receive the probe signal at the first bandwidth, and to output the probe signal into the movable probe at a second bandwidth, less than the first bandwidth
Implementation Method 3
Absorption spectroscopy is used to measure composition and/or properties of a material in any phase, gas, liquid, solid
Data Source
AI summary
A compact light source for coupling to a movable optic probe may include a light emitting diode (LED), to generate a probe signal at a first bandwidth, an optic coupler, disposed adjacent to the LED, and arranged to couple the probe signal into the movable probe, and a narrow bandpass filter disposed to receive the probe signal at the first bandwidth, and to output the probe signal into the movable probe at a second bandwidth, less than the first bandwidth.