Emission Spectrum Background Correction via Gradient Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for background correction in emission spectroscopy, such as ICP-OES and MIP-OES, are time-consuming and require skilled technicians due to the reliance on manual selection of wavelength points, leading to inaccurate assessments of element concentration due to distortion by continuum backgrounds.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to automatically identify background correction points by calculating gradients within the emission spectrum, fitting a background correction function, and applying it to produce a background-corrected spectrum, which can be fully automated and less susceptible to noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual selection of background correction points is used, then background correction can be applied, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires skilled technicians

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground correction accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies background correction points by calculating gradients between consecutive data points and selecting points where the gradient is minimum, eliminating the need for manual technician intervention while maintaining correction accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual selection process is replaced with an automated computational algorithm that uses gradient calculations to objectively identify background points, substituting human judgment with a systematic mathematical approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual selection of background correction points is used, then background correction can be applied, but it requires relatively skilled technicians

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground correction accuracyVSAvoidoperator skill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs background correction autonomously using automated point identification algorithms, making the technique accessible to operators without specialized training in spectrum interpretation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The complex judgment process requiring skilled technicians is replaced with straightforward gradient calculations that automatically identify background points, democratizing access to the technique

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If linear interpolation between background points is used, then background correction is achieved, but the technique is relatively unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection speedVSAvoidcorrection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary gradient calculations on all data points to objectively identify background correction points before applying interpolation, ensuring reliable point selection rather than relying on user guessing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The subjective process of guessing background point locations is replaced with objective gradient-based identification, making the technique both faster and more reliable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9677934B2Background correction in emission spectra

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 THERMO ELECTRON MFG

AI summary

A method for deriving a background-corrected portion of a measured optical emission spectrum comprising the steps of identifying two or more background correction points from the portion of the measured emission spectrum; deriving a background correction function fitted to the identified background correction points, and applying the background correction function to the portion of the measured emission spectrum so as to produce a background-corrected portion of the emission spectrum, wherein the background correction points are identified from the measured data points by consideration of the gradients between the measured data points.