Compact Spectrometer On-Axis Slit Detector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometer designs are limited by the off-axis location of slit and detector elements, leading to increased size, weight, aberrations, and spectral distortions, which compromise spatial and spectral image quality and resolution.
Innovation Solution
Locating the slit and detector elements on the optical axis, using light bending elements like prisms and grisms, to reduce the optical field radius and minimize size while enhancing spatial and spectral fields, and reducing spectral smile distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If slit and detector elements are located off-axis, then the optical field coverage is increased, but the spectrometer size, weight, and aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bent optical axis that transitions from a straight configuration to a curved path, allowing the slit and detector to be positioned on-axis while still achieving extended optical field coverage. This dimensional change in the optical path geometry resolves the contradiction by maintaining field coverage without increasing instrument size or weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical elements (such as prisms or mirrors) as intermediaries to bend the optical axis. These intermediary components enable the light path to curve and return to the on-axis position, facilitating both compact instrument design and extended field coverage simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If slit and detector elements are located off-axis, then the optical field coverage is increased, but aberrations and spectral distortions increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the optical axis from straight to bent geometry, the patent enables on-axis positioning of slit and detector while maintaining extended field coverage. This dimensional change eliminates the off-axis aberrations and spectral distortions that would otherwise degrade image quality, resolving the contradiction between field coverage and image quality.
3Weight of stationary object
If the spectrometer is made compact, then the size and weight are reduced, but the spectral resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bent optical axis configuration allows compact instrument packaging while preserving spectral resolution through maintained on-axis geometry. The curved path enables reduced instrument size without compromising the dispersive elements' ability to achieve high spectral resolution, resolving the contradiction between compactness and resolution.
4Ease of operation
If the optical axis is bent, then the slit and detector can be positioned on-axis, but additional optical components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical intermediaries (prisms, mirrors, or grisms) to bend the optical axis and enable on-axis positioning. While these additional components increase device complexity, they achieve the operational benefit of on-axis alignment, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
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
Results in a more compact, high-resolution spectrometer with improved spatial and spectral image quality, increased optical speed, and reduced spectral distortions, achieving superior trade-offs in compactness and performance.
Implementation Method 1
using light bending elements like prisms and grisms
Implementation Method 2
using light bending elements like prisms and grisms
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer having slit and detector elements located on the optical axis of the spectrometer, resulting in substantially increased spectral and spatial fields of the spectrometer. The spectrometer being more compact than current designs, while providing superior spatial and spectral image quality and resolution.