Dual-Region Image Sensor for Raman Wavelength Drift Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectroscopic analysis methods, particularly Raman spectroscopic analysis, face challenges in accurately correcting wavelength shifts due to environmental fluctuations, leading to reduced accuracy, especially in long-duration measurements.

Innovation Solution

A spectroscopic analysis device and method that utilizes a first and second optical system to separately detect secondary and standard lights on different regions of an image sensor, allowing for precise correction of secondary light wavelengths based on standard light detection results, using a shared or separate spectrometer and a single light source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a standard light is measured before and after Raman scattered light is measured, and the shift in wavelength is linearly approximated, then the correction process is simple, but the wavelength cannot be accurately corrected because the shift in wavelength does not change linearly over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoidwavelength correction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds a standard light source and standard light incident portion within the measurement optical path, enabling preliminary measurement of the standard light spectrum at the beginning of the measurement period. This preliminary action establishes a reference spectrum that accounts for the actual nonlinear wavelength shift characteristics of the specific measurement conditions, allowing for more accurate correction of Raman scattered light wavelengths without requiring complex real-time monitoring during the measurement process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a standard light source as an intermediary element that is measured through the same optical path as the Raman scattered light. This intermediary standard light serves as a reference that captures the actual wavelength shift behavior under specific measurement conditions, enabling accurate correction of the Raman spectrum by comparing the standard light spectrum at different time points and applying the derived correction to the measured Raman scattered light

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the measurement period is extended to analyze medical or biological samples, then comprehensive analysis is achieved, but the influence of wavelength shift on analysis results becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement periodVSAvoidanalysis result accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of the standard light spectrum at the beginning of the measurement period and stores it as reference data. During extended measurements of medical or biological samples, the system periodically remeasures the standard light spectrum and compares it with the preliminary reference to detect wavelength shifts. This preliminary action establishes a baseline that enables continuous monitoring and correction throughout the extended measurement period, maintaining analysis accuracy despite the long duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the standard light spectrum is continuously monitored throughout the extended measurement period. The system compares the standard light spectrum at different time points, detects wavelength shifts, and applies corrections to the Raman scattered light data. This feedback loop ensures that even during long measurement periods spanning several days or weeks, the wavelength shift influence is continuously compensated, maintaining high analysis result accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 method achieves accurate correction of wavelength shifts, enhancing the precision of spectroscopic analysis and maintaining accuracy even in prolonged measurements, thereby improving the reliability of Raman spectroscopic analysis.

Implementation Method 1

The secondary light is spectrally separated by the spectrometer, travels in different directions for each wavelength (or wavenumber, and the same applies hereinafter)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral separation: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

a method using a spectrometer and an image sensor may be used. The image sensor is, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4636390A1Spectroscopic analysis device and spectroscopic analysis method
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HORIBA LTD
  • EP4636390A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4636390A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4636390A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a spectroscopic analysis device and a spectroscopic analysis method capable of improving the accuracy of spectroscopic analysis by more accurately correcting a detection result. A spectroscopic analysis device includes an image sensor that has a first region and a second region different from the first region, and that detects light incident on the first region and the second region; a first optical system that irradiates a sample with a primary light, and that causes a secondary light generated from the sample to be incident on the first region; a second optical system that causes a standard light to be incident on the second region; and an analysis unit that corrects a detection result of the secondary light incident on the first region, based on a detection result of the standard light incident on the second region.