Compact Sample-Illuminating Spectrometer With Isolated Optical Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometers are too large, costly, and lack sufficient sensitivity and resolution for consumer applications, making them impractical for portable use.
Innovation Solution
A compact spectrometer design with isolated optical paths, including a filter array, lens array, and sensor array, without dispersive elements, achieving high sensitivity and resolution by minimizing cross-talk and optical path length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior spectrometers use traditional optical designs with dispersive elements, then spectral resolution can be achieved, but device size becomes too large for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple isolated channels, each handling a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows the use of simpler optical elements in each channel while maintaining overall spectral resolution, thereby reducing the total device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear optical paths to a folded optical design using mirrors and beam splitters. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the optical path to be compacted into a smaller physical footprint while maintaining the required optical path length for spectral resolution.
2Measurement precision
If prior spectrometers are designed for high resolution, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions (beam splitting, reflection, focusing) are merged into a single integrated optical module. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that require alignment, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining spectral resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical design incorporates self-aligning features where certain optical elements automatically position themselves relative to other components during assembly or operation, reducing the need for manual alignment and lowering device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If prior spectrometers use compact designs with reduced optical path length, then device size decreases, but spectral resolution and sensitivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs tunable optical elements such as variable focal length lenses or adjustable mirrors that can dynamically optimize the optical path length for different measurement conditions. This allows the compact device to achieve high spectral resolution when needed while maintaining a small form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system uses composite optical elements combining multiple materials with different optical properties (e.g., different refractive indices) to achieve both compact size and sufficient optical path length. The composite structure allows light to traverse an extended effective path within a reduced physical dimension.
4Length of moving object
If prior spectrometers are designed for portability, then device size reduces, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical module is designed as a universal platform that can be adapted for different spectral ranges and applications by simply changing filters or detector elements. This multi-functionality reduces per-unit manufacturing costs through economies of scale while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective optical elements such as molded plastic lenses and standard off-the-shelf filters instead of expensive custom-ground optics. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient performance for portable 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 enables small, economical spectrometers suitable for integration into consumer devices, providing sufficient sensitivity and resolution for analyzing complex mixtures, with a light path length of less than 9mm and resolution of less than 10nm.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser is located along the optical path prior to the filter array in order to provide at least constant angular distribution of light energy among the filters of the array
Implementation Method 2
a lens of a lens array, through a channel of a support array, to a region of a sensor array. Each region of the sensor array comprises a plurality of sensor elements in which a location of the sensor element corresponds to the wavelength of light received based on an angle of light received at the location, the focal length of the lens
Implementation Method 3
Each isolated optical path extends from a filter of a filter array, through a lens of a lens array
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectrometer comprising an illuminator for illuminating a sample with light, the illuminator comprising a primary radiation emitter to emit primary radiation within a first wavelength range, and a secondary radiation emitter to absorb the primary radiation and to emit secondary radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range; and a spectrometer module for receiving light reflected from the sample, the spectrometer module comprising a diffuser; a detector comprising a plurality of regions, each region of said plurality of regions comprising multiple sensors; a lens array comprising a plurality of lenses, each lens of the lens array corresponding to a region of said plurality of regions; and a filter array corresponding to the lens array, the filter array comprising a plurality of filters, wherein each filter of the plurality of filters is configured to transmit a range of wavelengths different from other filters of the plurality.