Compound-Eye Light Receiver for Diffused Light Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light receiving devices for spectroscopic analysis face a challenge in achieving high coupling efficiency for diffused light, with existing solutions like plano-convex lenses and reflecting mirrors offering limited improvements, typically achieving coupling efficiencies of around 20-42%.
Innovation Solution
A light receiving device incorporating a compound eye lens with multiple convex lens surfaces and a truncated cone-shaped reflective surface in the lens holder, where the light transmitted through the compound eye lens is reflected and focused onto a semiconductor light receiving element, enhancing the coupling efficiency by condensing diffused light from various directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a condensing lens is used to increase the light receiving area, then the amount of light received increases, but the coupling efficiency for diffused light remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The condensing lens is divided into multiple convex lens surfaces (first convex lens surface, second convex lens surface, etc.) arranged in an array. Each lens surface independently condenses light from different directions, collectively achieving high coupling efficiency for diffused light while maintaining a large light receiving area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single plano-convex lens to a three-dimensional array of multiple convex lens surfaces. This dimensional expansion allows light from various angles (diffused light) to be captured and condensed onto the light receiving element, significantly improving coupling efficiency while preserving the large light receiving area.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the area of the semiconductor light receiving element is reduced to suppress dark current, then dark current decreases, but the amount of light received decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensing lens is segmented into multiple convex lens surfaces that work together to concentrate diffused light from a large area onto a small light receiving element. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a large effective light collecting area while using a small photodetector area, thereby suppressing dark current while maximizing light reception.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple convex lens surfaces are combined in an array configuration to collectively focus light from various directions onto the light receiving element. This merging of multiple optical paths enables a small photodetector to effectively capture light that would otherwise be dispersed, maintaining high light reception efficiency with minimal dark current.
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 proposed configuration improves coupling efficiency to 57.5%, with further enhancements possible by tilting the optical axes of the convex lens surfaces, achieving up to 65% efficiency, significantly surpassing previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
a condensing lens 2 having a plurality of convex lens surfaces 14 on one side
Implementation Method 2
a lens holder 3 having a cylindrical reflective surface 7 facing the optical path section 6
Data Source
AI summary
In the light receiving device 1 comprising a condensing lens, a lens holder for fixing the condensing lens, a semiconductor light receiving element, and a base for fixing the semiconductor light receiving element and the lens holder, wherein the light passing through the condensing lens enters the semiconductor light receiving element through the optical path in the lens holder. The condensing lens is a compound eye lens with a plurality of convex lens surfaces on one side, and the lens holder has a cylindrical reflective surface facing the optical path section formed in the shape of a truncated cone, the diameter of which decreases as it approaches the condensing lens. A part of light passing through the condensing lens is reflected by the reflective surface to enter the semiconductor light receiving element.