Dichroic Mirror Spectroscopy Analyzer for Multi-Wavelength Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopy analyzers are complex, expensive, and large due to the need for multiple spectrometers to cover multiple wavelength ranges, and they struggle to create a small, uniform light spot efficiently while maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
A compact spectroscopy analyzer integrates multiple light sources and optical components to cover a wide range of wavelengths, including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared, using a dichroic mirror-reflector to separate light into spectrometer and detector paths, allowing for efficient signal collection and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate spectrometers are used to cover multiple wavelength ranges, then the analyzer can determine multiple substances with divergent wavelengths, but the size and cost of the analyzer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spectrometer functions into a single integrated spectrometer by using a dichroic mirror to split the optical path. The dichroic mirror reflects certain wavelength ranges to one detector while transmitting other wavelength ranges to a second detector, allowing one spectrometer to perform the work of multiple separate spectrometers and thereby reducing overall device size and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The dichroic mirror acts as an intermediary optical element that separates different wavelength ranges within a single spectrometer. It mediates the light path by directing specific wavelength bands to appropriate detectors, enabling multi-wavelength analysis without requiring multiple separate spectrometer systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate spectrometers are used to cover multiple wavelength ranges, then the analyzer can determine multiple substances with divergent wavelengths, but the cost of the analyzer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spectrometer functions into a single integrated spectrometer by using a dichroic mirror to split the optical path. The dichroic mirror reflects certain wavelength ranges to one detector while transmitting other wavelength ranges to a second detector, allowing one spectrometer to perform the work of multiple separate spectrometers and thereby reducing overall device size and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spectrometer is designed to be multi-functional by incorporating a dichroic mirror that enables it to analyze multiple wavelength ranges simultaneously. This universal design allows the same spectrometer hardware to serve multiple analytical purposes, reducing the need for multiple specialized instruments and lowering overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a broadband light source is used, then the analyzer can provide multiple wavelengths, but it is difficult to create a small, uniform light spot with sufficient power intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadband light spectrum into different wavelength ranges using a dichroic mirror. By separating the optical path for different wavelength bands, the system can optimize the light delivery for each segment, creating small uniform light spots with sufficient intensity for each wavelength range while maintaining overall spectral coverage.
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 solution enables high-resolution spectroscopy across multiple wavelength ranges with a compact, cost-effective design, providing a small, uniform light spot for specimen analysis and efficient signal detection.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic mirror-reflector configured to filter the analysis light such that a first portion of the analysis light in the first light range is reflected off the dichroic mirror-reflector as a spectrometer light, and such that a second portion of the analysis light in the second light range passes through the dichroic mirror-reflector as a detector light
Implementation Method 2
a spectrometer having a transmission or diffraction grating
Implementation Method 3
a linear photodiode array detector
Implementation Method 4
A chemical reaction of the sample-reagent combination may produce chromophores absorbing light at specific wavelengths proportional to the concentration of the analyte being measured
Data Source
AI summary
Absorbance spectroscopy methods and systems are disclosed including a spectroscopy analyzer, comprising: an optical element device positioned to receive an analysis light that passes through a sample of a fluid specimen from an illumination unit, the analysis light including first light in a first light range and second light in a second light range different than the first light range, the optical element device comprising: a housing assembly that defines an internal space; and a dichroic mirror-reflector within the internal space positioned to receive the analysis light, the dichroic mirror-reflector configured to filter the analysis light such that a first portion of the analysis light in the first light range is reflected off the dichroic mirror-reflector as a spectrometer light, and such that a second portion of the analysis light in the second light range passes through the dichroic mirror-reflector as a detector light.