Diffraction Grating Spectroscope for OCT Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional OCT devices that measure optical spectra for each polarization component using a polarization beam splitter become bulky and suffer from significant light intensity loss and wavefront distortion due to numerous reflecting surfaces, reducing resolution.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscope with a first diffraction grating that diffracts one polarization component and transmits the other without diffraction, eliminating the need for a polarization beam splitter, allowing for high-resolution spectral dispersion of incident light without increasing the number of reflecting surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a polarization beam splitter is used to separate interference light into TE and TM polarization components, then the optical spectrum can be measured for each polarization component, but the device becomes bulky and light intensity loss increases due to numerous reflecting surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polarization separation function and spectral dispersion function into a single diffraction grating. The diffraction grating simultaneously separates the interference light into TE and TM polarization components and disperses the spectrum, eliminating the need for a separate polarization beam splitter and reducing the number of reflecting surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The diffraction grating is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a polarization separator and a spectral disperser. By making the grating structure itself polarization-sensitive, it universally handles both polarization separation and wavelength dispersion in one component
2Measurement precision
If a polarization beam splitter is used to separate interference light into TE and TM polarization components, then the optical spectrum can be measured for each polarization component, but light intensity loss and wavefront distortion increase due to numerous reflecting surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polarization separation function and spectral dispersion function into a single diffraction grating. The diffraction grating simultaneously separates the interference light into TE and TM polarization components and disperses the spectrum, eliminating the need for a separate polarization beam splitter and reducing the number of reflecting surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical polarization beam splitter system with an optical diffraction grating system. The grating uses diffraction physics rather than mechanical reflection to separate polarization components, reducing light intensity loss and wavefront distortion
3Measurement precision
If a polarization beam splitter is used to separate interference light into TE and TM polarization components, then the optical spectrum can be measured for each polarization component, but resolution decreases due to light intensity loss and wavefront distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polarization separation function and spectral dispersion function into a single diffraction grating. The diffraction grating simultaneously separates the interference light into TE and TM polarization components and disperses the spectrum, eliminating the need for a separate polarization beam splitter and reducing the number of reflecting surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the diffraction grating (groove depth, groove width, groove shape) to optimize polarization-dependent diffraction efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the grating achieves high resolution while maintaining adequate light intensity for spectral measurement
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
This configuration reduces light intensity loss and wavefront distortion, enabling high-resolution optical spectrum detection for each polarization component while maintaining a compact device size, improving diagnostic precision in OCT devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first diffraction grating to which at least a transmitted light or a reflected light from an object to be measured enters, which diffracts a first polarization component of the incident light and which transmits a second polarization component that is different from the first polarization component of the incident light without diffraction
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is to provide a spectroscope that can improve resolution and reduce loss of light intensity and/or distortion of a wave front while enabling detection of the optical spectrum for each of a plurality of polarization components in incident light. The spectroscope is a spectroscope that comprises a first diffraction grating 51 to which at least a transmitted light or a reflected light from an object to be measured enters, which diffracts a first polarization component of the incident light and which transmits a second polarization component that is different from the first polarization component of the incident light without diffraction, and a first light-receiving element 55 that receives a spectrum of the light diffracted by the first diffraction grating 51.