Fiber Optic Cable Assembly With Dielectric Isolation for Spectrometers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spectrometers and associated fiber optical cable assemblies face challenges in semiconductor processing environments due to harsh conditions such as high temperatures, physical damage, voltage discharges, and RF emissions, which can degrade performance by providing conductive pathways for external signals to damage sensitive components.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of non-conductive sheathing, dielectric breaks, isolation boots, and grounding tethers to provide electrical isolation and insulation protection for fiber optical cable assemblies, maintaining mechanical connectivity and RF immunity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fiber optical cable assembly uses conductive sheathing and termination for mechanical strength and connectivity, then structural integrity is improved, but electrical isolation is worsened due to conductive pathways allowing external signals to reach sensitive components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidelectrical isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber optical cable assembly is divided into conductive sections (sheathing and termination for mechanical strength) and non-conductive sections (dielectric break and isolation boot for electrical isolation). This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dielectric break acts as an intermediary element between the conductive sheathing and conductive termination, providing electrical isolation while maintaining mechanical connectivity. The isolation boot serves as a non-conductive intermediary that prevents direct electrical contact between external conductive parts and the spectrometer, thereby protecting sensitive components from harmful electrical signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If fiber optical cable assembly provides mechanical connectivity through conductive components, then ease of connection is improved, but reliability is worsened due to vulnerability to voltage discharges and RF emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidprotection from voltage discharges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric break and isolation boot are pre-installed on the fiber optical cable assembly before connection to the spectrometer. This preliminary action ensures that electrical isolation protection is already in place before the cable is connected to sensitive equipment, preventing voltage discharges and RF emissions from reaching the spectrometer while maintaining ease of connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If fiber optical cable assembly uses simple conductive structure for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but protection from harmful factors is worsened due to lack of electrical isolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidprotection from RF emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable assembly is segmented into conductive and non-conductive sections, with the dielectric break and isolation boot added as distinct components. This segmentation approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by using standard components that can be assembled through straightforward processes, while effectively providing electrical isolation to protect against RF emissions and other harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively protects spectrometers from external noise and discharges, ensuring reliable light delivery and stable operation in semiconductor processing environments.

Implementation Method 1

a dielectric break providing electrical isolation between the termination and the sheathing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical isolation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

electrical isolation/insulation (EII) protection for at least one of the termination and the sheathing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS12449622B2Fiberoptical cable assemblies and interfaces for spectrometers

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 VERITY INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

The disclosure provides an improved fiber optic cable assembly that can protect spectrometers against one or more of the external noise and discharge sources. The improved fiber optic cable assembly provides electrical isolation and/or insulation (EII) protection for optical instruments, such as a spectrometer, in which the fiber optic cable assembly is terminated. The EII protection can include one or more of a non-conductive sheathing at least partially covering the termination and the sheathing, a dielectric break providing electrical isolation between the termination and the sheathing, an isolation boot, and a grounding tether. In one example a fiber optical cable assembly includes: (1) a termination, (2) sheathing, and (3) a dielectric break providing electrical isolation between the termination and the sheathing. A fiber optically coupled system having an improved fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.