Compact Optical Spectrometer with Single-Detector UV–Visible Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers are large and inefficient, often requiring multiple detectors and optical splitters that increase the footprint and reduce optical efficiency, making them impractical for space-constrained environments and limiting their performance.
Innovation Solution
An optical spectrometer design using an off-axis Schmidt telescope that simultaneously captures the UV and visible spectrum on a single detector, incorporating an aperture, collimator, Echelle grating, and detector, with aspheric surfaces and a prism, to achieve compactness and improved optical efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple detectors with optical splitters are used to detect UV and visible spectrum, then the spectral detection capability is improved, but the device footprint increases and optical efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV and visible spectrum detection into a single detector by using a reflective grating that disperses both wavelength ranges onto one detector surface, eliminating the need for multiple detectors and optical splitters. This merging approach maintains full spectral detection capability while significantly reducing the device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The single detector is designed to handle multiple functions by detecting both UV and visible light simultaneously. The reflective grating system is configured to direct different wavelength ranges to different regions of the same detector, making the detector universal for both spectral ranges without requiring separate detection paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple detectors with optical splitters are used to detect UV and visible spectrum, then the spectral detection capability is improved, but the optical efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging UV and visible detection into a single optical path without splitters, the system eliminates energy loss associated with beam splitting. The reflective grating directs different wavelength ranges to different regions of the same detector without dividing the light beam, preserving optical efficiency while maintaining full spectral detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the optical splitters from the system entirely. By eliminating these components that cause energy loss through reflection and absorption, the system achieves higher optical efficiency while still capturing both UV and visible spectra through the grating's wavelength-dependent dispersion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large spectrometer is used to detect wide spectrum range, then the detection performance is improved, but the device becomes impractical for space-constrained environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a compact single-detector system with a reflective grating, eliminating the need for large separate detection paths. This integration maintains wide spectral detection performance while reducing the overall instrument size to make it practical for space-constrained applications.
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 design achieves a wavelength range of 167-1200 nm with high resolution and optical throughput, reducing size and improving efficiency while maintaining performance, suitable for space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
Spectrometers conventionally use a combination of optical elements to spatially separate light of different wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
Certain configurations are described herein of a spectrometer that may be used to select one or more wavelengths of light
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectrometer with an unobstructed, Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.