Thermally Stable Fiber-Optic Array Mount for Flow Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for flow cells, such as those used in laser-induced fluorescence, suffer from temperature instability and measurement errors due to fluctuations in signal power, leading to pointing errors.
Innovation Solution
A compact, thermally stable laser system with a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller maintains a constant temperature, utilizing polarization-maintaining optical fibers and anamorphic microlenses to produce elliptical beams of light that are precisely directed onto a flow cell, ensuring accurate and consistent optical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional optical systems are used for flow cell analysis, then the system structure is simple, but temperature instability causes pointing errors and signal power fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated housing structure that provides thermal management, optical alignment, and mechanical support. The housing integrates the thermoelectric controller, optical fibers, anamorphic microlenses, and flow cell positioning system, eliminating the need for separate temperature control and alignment mechanisms while achieving stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermoelectric controller as an intermediary device between the laser source and the flow cell to actively manage temperature fluctuations. This intermediary component compensates for thermal variations that would otherwise cause pointing errors and signal instability, enabling precise optical measurements.
2Measurement precision
If temperature control is added to stabilize the system, then measurement accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thermoelectric controller that actively adjusts temperature parameters to maintain optimal operating conditions. By dynamically changing thermal parameters in response to detected fluctuations, the system achieves high measurement accuracy while minimizing energy consumption through targeted, rather than continuous, heating or cooling cycles.
3Volume of moving object
If optical fibers are used to deliver laser light, then the system is compact, but thermal fluctuations cause signal power variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple optical fibers within a thermally controlled housing structure that provides stable environmental conditions. The optical fibers are positioned within the housing along with anamorphic microlenses and flow cell positioning mechanisms, creating a nested configuration where the housing protects and stabilizes the delicate optical components against thermal fluctuations while maintaining system compactness.
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 provides precise and stable optical measurements by maintaining temperature stability and optimizing light distribution, reducing measurement errors and fluctuations, thereby enhancing the accuracy of optical analyses like laser-induced fluorescence.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally conductive housing defining an interior chamber, and a thermoelectric controller thermally coupled to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of optical fibers contained within the interior chamber, and the optical fibers can be configured to receive the light from the optical input ports and output the light into the internal chamber
Implementation Method 3
The one or more optical elements can comprise a plurality of anamorphic microlenses. The plurality of beams of light produced by the one or more optical elements can comprise a plurality of substantially elliptical beams of light
Implementation Method 4
a flow cell connector configured to attach a flow cell to the housing, and the flow cell connector can be configured to position the flow cell to intersect the beams of light
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.