Contactless Spectrometer Layout for Distance-Independent Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometer devices face challenges in performing contactless spectroscopy, particularly in mobile applications, due to distance-dependent non-collimated light reception after interaction with samples, leading to unreliable spectroscopic analysis.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer device utilizing a filter element to separate incident light into constituent wavelengths, combined with a detector array of pixelated optical sensors, and a concentrator device to direct light to the filter, enabling accurate spectroscopic measurements without mechanical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless mobile spectroscopy is used, then mechanical contact and contamination are avoided, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to distance-dependent non-collimated light reception
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective target element is introduced as an intermediary between the sample and the spectrometer. This target element receives collimated light from the sample and reflects it back through the same optical path, ensuring that the spectrometer receives light that has traveled a fixed, known distance. The target element acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct mechanical contact while maintaining measurement reliability by preserving the collimated light path.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the spectrometer directly receive light from the sample at variable distances, the approach is inverted: the spectrometer emits or directs light to a fixed target element, which then reflects the light back. This reverses the traditional measurement geometry, allowing the spectrometer to remain at a fixed position relative to the target while the sample can be positioned without mechanical contact.
2Reliability
If direct mechanical contact is used, then fixed and closed light pathway is achieved, but optical system contamination and hygiene issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The target element serves as a sterile intermediary that the optical system contacts instead of the sample itself. The optical components remain fixed and closed, maintaining a reliable light pathway, while the target element can be easily replaced or sterilized. This mediator allows the optical system to maintain its fixed geometry without direct contact with potentially contaminating samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The target element is extracted from the sample and placed between the optical system and the sample. This separation allows the optical system to maintain its fixed, closed pathway while the target element handles the interaction with the sample environment, protecting the optical components from contamination.
3Stability of the object's composition
If collimated light source is used for indirect mobile spectroscopy, then light emission stability is improved, but received light intensity becomes distance dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement geometry is inverted: instead of the spectrometer receiving light directly from the sample at variable distances, the spectrometer directs light to a fixed target element that reflects it back. This ensures that the received light intensity remains stable and distance-independent, as the optical path length is fixed by the target element position rather than varying with sample distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The target element acts as a mediator that receives collimated light and reflects it back through the same optical path. This ensures that the light intensity received by the spectrometer is determined by the fixed geometry of the target element rather than by the variable distance to the sample, eliminating distance dependence while preserving the stability of collimated light emission.
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
Enables reliable contactless spectroscopy by accurately determining light intensity and wavelength, independent of distance, thus improving measurement precision and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element (114) configured for separating incident light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals
Implementation Method 2
employing at least one optical sensor (116) and/or at least one detector array (118)... each optical sensor (116) being adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the constituent wavelength signals
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectrometer device (110) is disclosed. The spectrometer device (110) comprises: at least one filter element (114) adapted to separate at least one incident light beam into a spectrum of constituent wavelength; at least one sensor element (140) having a matrix of optical sensors (116, 142), the optical sensors (116, 142) each having a light-sensitive area, wherein each optical sensor (116, 142) is configured to generate at least one sensor signal in response to an illumination of the light-sensitive area by at least one light beam propagating from at least one object (112) to the spectrometer, wherein at least one first optical sensor of the optical sensors (116, 142) is adapted to generate a first sensor signal in response to illumination by a first constituent wavelength and wherein at least one second optical sensor of the optical sensors (116, 142) is adapted to generate a second sensor signal in response to an illumination by the first constituent wavelength; at least one evaluation device (120) configured for determining at least one longitudinal coordinate z of the object (112) by evaluating a combined signal Q from the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, wherein the evaluation device (120) is configured for evaluating at least one sensor signal generated by the optical sensors (116, 142) of the matrix of optical sensor by performing at least one spectroscopic analysis considering the determined longitudinal coordinate z.