Extended Dynamic Range Optical Detection via Dual Detector Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detector systems face challenges in measuring light signals over a wide dynamic range due to limitations in analog-to-digital converters, amplifiers, and detector physics, which restrict their ability to capture both high and low-intensity light pulses effectively, especially in high-throughput applications like flow cytometry and LIDAR.
Innovation Solution
A detector system comprising two independently controlled optical detector elements with different dynamic ranges, combined using a signal combiner to generate a single signal with an extended effective dynamic range, enabling the detection of light pulses across a wide intensity spectrum from single photons to milliwatts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single optical detector element is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and dynamic range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple detector elements, each optimized for specific intensity ranges. The first detector element handles high-intensity signals while the second detector element handles low-intensity signals, allowing each component to be specialized rather than requiring a single complex detector to handle all ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple detector elements through a signal combiner to create a unified extended dynamic range signal. This merging approach integrates the capabilities of separate detectors (handling different intensity ranges) into a single coherent output that provides both high and low intensity detection capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detector elements with different dynamic ranges are used, then the effective dynamic range is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into specialized detector elements, where the first detector element is optimized for high-intensity light detection and the second detector element is optimized for low-intensity light detection. This segmentation allows each detector to operate within its optimal range, extending the overall effective dynamic range of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
A signal combiner is introduced as an intermediary component that receives signals from both detector elements and combines them into a unified extended dynamic range signal. This mediator handles the complexity of integrating multiple detector outputs, allowing the detector elements themselves to remain relatively simple while achieving extended dynamic range capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the detector system is simplified to use a single detector, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect both high and low-intensity light pulses is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The detection capability is segmented across multiple detector elements, with the first detector element specialized for high-intensity light pulses and the second detector element specialized for low-intensity light pulses. This segmentation enables the system to adaptively detect signals across the full intensity spectrum by selecting the appropriate detector element for each signal level.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined detector system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple detector elements with different dynamic ranges. The system can universally detect both high-intensity and low-intensity light pulses, making it adaptable to various application requirements without needing separate detection systems for different intensity ranges.
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 system achieves high sensitivity and accurate detection of rapidly sequenced light pulses over a large dynamic range, overcoming the limitations of conventional detectors by integrating signals from both high and low-intensity ranges within a single detector, suitable for applications requiring broad dynamic range and high resolution.
Implementation Method 1
A first optical detector element having a first dynamic range receives a first portion of light from an optical source. The first optical detector element generates a first detector output.
Implementation Method 2
A second optical detector element having a second dynamic range receives a second portion of light from the optical source. The second optical detector element generates a second detector output.
Implementation Method 3
A signal combiner receives the first detector output and the second detector output and generates a combined signal having greater effective dynamic range than the first dynamic range and the second dynamic range.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods taught herein advantageously provide extended dynamic range capabilities to detect low intensity and high intensity emitted or scattered light from particles at high speeds with high sensitivity. Independently controlled first and second optical detector elements that handle light intensities in different dynamic ranges, large overall dynamic range is created. Signals from the detector elements can be combined to create a single combined signal that has excellent sensitivity over a large dynamic range. The detector systems and methods taught herein are particularly advantageous in particle processing where the population of particles can emit or scatter light over a large range of intensity values. Systems and methods taught herein enable a wide dynamic range, optical signals of related to particles of interest within a single detector's dynamic range can be acquired while other optical signals at light intensities outside the single detector's dynamic range can also be accurately captured.